What was the Cultural Revolution? Along with the Great Leap Forward (which claimed 50 million lives), it was one of Mao Zedong’s most legendary epic fails. Under the guise of 'smashing old customs,' it was a massive wave of vandalism that sought to murder and annihilate everything China had built—history, culture, traditions, intangible heritage, and even royal recipes and martial arts. People say half of Chinese history was wiped out then. There aren't even accurate stats on how many items were smashed or how many people were killed.
Mao-worshipping Red Guards swarmed everywhere, smashing, killing, and dragging people off. Public executions weren't rare, and intellectuals were labeled 'remnants of capitalism' and sent to labor camps. This was a freakish era of cultural self-harm that lasted from May 1966 to December 1976. Here are some major artifacts that somehow survived being ground into dust.
Terracotta Army: Discovered in March 1974 when the heat of the Cultural Revolution was finally dying down, so it escaped destruction.
Lingyin Temple: An ancient temple built about 1,700 years ago in Hangzhou by an Indian monk. Premier Zhou Enlai (the CCP’s No. 2 at the time) ordered a portrait of Mao Zedong to be hung at the entrance before the Red Guards could storm in, so they couldn't touch it.
Potala Palace: Residence of the successive Dalai Lamas. Premier Zhou Enlai sent in the army while simultaneously using the excuse that they needed to 'preserve evidence of how much the Tibetan feudal ruling class exploited the people' to protect it.
Forbidden City: Premier Zhou Enlai sent in troops to protect it.
Temple of Confucius in Qufu: A representative Confucian shrine built in Confucius' hometown. While the Red Guards were in the middle of trashing it, Zhou Enlai ordered them to stop. The parts that were already destroyed were restored after the Cultural Revolution.
Mogao Caves in Dunhuang: Home to numerous Buddhist relics from the Han to Tang dynasties. Premier Zhou Enlai sent in the army to protect it.
Qianling Mausoleum: The tomb of Wu Zetian, the only female emperor of the Tang Dynasty. Zhou Enlai personally ordered that no damage be done.
Mawangdui Mummy: The mummy of a Han Dynasty noblewoman. Zhou Enlai ordered that it should not be harmed.
Fangshan Stone Sutras: Over 14,000 stone slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures during the Sui Dynasty. Zhou Enlai sent troops to the temple where they were stored to protect them.
Puyi: The last emperor of the Qing Dynasty. Premier Zhou Enlai sent security forces to protect him from the Red Guards.
Goguryeo and Balhae History: Premier Zhou Enlai actually stated that Goguryeo and Balhae are part of the history of the Korean (Han) people.
"Users are floored that Premier Zhou Enlai single-handedly hard-carried what's left of Chinese history against the Red Guard chaos."
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