The Great Escape of 1949: What did Chiang Kai-shek take away?

This retreat can be regarded as one of the largest organized migrations in human history. In 1949, as the Chiang Kai-shek regime faced a pivotal moment in history, an unprecedented cross-strait exodus was unfolding. This was not merely a military retreat but a transfer of civilization.

Personnel Scale: Over a Million Displaced

First, the military forces. More than 600,000 remnants of the Kuomintang army were assembled onto ships, followed by approximately 2 million civilians. Among these people were military families, merchants, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens, carrying not only their belongings but also visions of a different life.

Meanwhile, a large number of academic elites also embarked on this journey. Academicians from the Academia Sinica, distinguished intellectuals, and cultural representatives, including Kong Decheng, the 73rd direct descendant of Confucius, were all included in the evacuation list.

Wealth Transfer: Gold and Treasures

The transfer of wealth was equally massive. Over 4 million taels of gold were loaded onto ships, forming the economic foundation for the new regime’s rule across the strait. This wealth was sufficient at the time to sustain a country’s operations for many years.

The Great Relocation of Cultural Heritage

Most notably, artifacts and artworks representing Chinese civilization were moved. The National Palace Museum alone shipped out 3,200 boxes of precious cultural relics, including 3,409 items of cultural heritage, 2,950 antiques, 18 boxes of books, and 7 boxes of historical documents. These items included calligraphy and paintings of famous figures from various dynasties, priceless treasures.

The Nanjing National Museum contributed 220 boxes of artifacts, and the Central Library shipped out 60 boxes of rare ancient books—mainly editions, manuscripts, and handwritten copies from before the Ming Dynasty. The Institute of History and Language at Academia Sinica transferred 120 boxes of archival materials, among which the most precious were ancient inscriptions carved on turtle shells and animal bones, as well as ancient stone carvings.

Additionally, 60 boxes of international treaty archives from the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China period were also taken away.

Migration of Spiritual Leaders

In terms of individuals, besides Kong Decheng, the 73rd direct descendant of Confucius, there were also the 63rd Celestial Master Zhang Enpu and the renowned living Buddha Lama Zhang Jiahuhutu. The migration of these religious and cultural leaders symbolized a crossing of the entire civilization system.

This great transfer of 1949 was essentially a relay of civilization. The army, wealth, cultural relics, and intellectual elites—all elements converged, witnessing one of the most massive organized migrations in history.