During the Chinese Civil War, as the Nationalist forces retreated to Taiwan, Yunnan remained the last province under the Republic of China’s control. The central government dispatched the 8th Army, led by General Li Mi, and the 26th Army, led by General Yu Chengwan, to defend Yunnan. However, Yunnan's provincial governor, Lu Han, defected to the Communists, forcing the Nationalist forces to retreat under heavy attack. Only the 237th Division, 709th Regiment, under Li Guohui, and the 93rd Division, 278th Regiment, under Tan Zhong, managed to break out and flee to the Sino-Burmese border, becoming the stranded "Lost Army." After regrouping in Xiaomengbang, their numbers grew to 1,500, and they formed the "Revival Army" with Li Guohui as the commander. This marked the beginning of the Lost Army’s struggle in exile. Under pressure from the Chinese Communist Party, Myanmar repeatedly attempted to expel or disarm the Revival Army. After negotiations failed, Myanmar launched an attack in 1950. The conflict lasted for two months, resulting in a decisive victory for the Revival Army, solidifying its reputation.

In January 1951, the Nationalist government established the "Yunnan Anti-Communist National Salvation Army," appointing Li Mi as its commander. In February, U.S. President Truman approved the "White Paper Plan," secretly supporting Li Mi’s efforts to invade Yunnan with assistance from Thailand to divert Communist forces from the Korean War. Li Mi's forces managed to reclaim eight counties in Yunnan but had to retreat due to severe shortages of equipment and supplies. In 1952, the U.S. ceased its aid, prompting Li Mi to form alliances with various ethnic groups in Myanmar, establishing the "Southeast Asia Free People’s Anti-Communist Army." By 1953, the activities of Li Mi’s troops in Myanmar had sparked international controversy, leading Myanmar to file a complaint with the United Nations. Under mounting pressure, the Nationalist government ordered Li Mi to return to Taiwan. On April 23, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution condemning the presence of Nationalist troops in Myanmar and demanding their withdrawal. On May 22, a joint military committee comprising China (ROC), the U.S., Myanmar, and Thailand was established in Bangkok to oversee the evacuation.

In response to the UN resolution, between November 1953 and May 1954, approximately 7,000 soldiers and their families were evacuated from Myanmar and resettled in Zhongzheng New Village, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Meanwhile, on February 1954, the 5th Army of the "Southeast Asia Free People’s Anti-Communist Army," under General Duan Xiwen, convened a military meeting at the Mong Ton headquarters. The meeting concluded with a decision to stay and continue military operations in exile, with Duan Xiwen appointed as the leader. The Nationalist government officially recognized these remaining troops as the "Yunnan People’s Anti-Communist Volunteer Army" and dispatched General Liu Yuanlin to oversee operations at their base.

After the first evacuation, a portion of the troops, mostly Yunnanese soldiers, chose to remain in Myanmar. These remaining forces were led by General Liu Yuanlin and established the "Yunnan People’s Anti-Communist Volunteer Army" in Kengtung. In 1961, Myanmar once again filed a complaint with the United Nations. Under pressure from the U.S., the Nationalist government agreed to a second withdrawal. From March 17 to April 30, 1961, 4,406 soldiers and their families were evacuated to Taiwan. On May 15, the Ministry of National Defense officially disbanded the Yunnan People’s Anti-Communist Volunteer Army. This marked the end of the Lost Army’s presence in Myanmar. This second evacuation became known as the "Guolei Exercise."

Despite the two evacuations, remnants of the Lost Army, including the 3rd and 5th Armies, as well as the Western Yunnan and Southern Yunnan Action Task Forces, continued their guerrilla operations along the Sino-Burmese border. Their missions included raiding Yunnan to tie down Communist forces and maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait. In 1964, the 5th Army, led by Duan Xiwen, moved its base to Mae Salong, Thailand, while the 3rd Army, led by Li Wenhuan, assisted Laotian forces in battling Communist insurgents. In 1968, the 3rd and 5th Armies merged into a joint command at Mae Salong and launched six raids into mainland China, inflicting heavy casualties on Communist forces. In December 1970, the Thai government established "04 Command" in Chiang Rai to coordinate counterinsurgency efforts against Thai Communist forces. The Lost Army played a crucial role in eradicating Communist strongholds along the Thai-Lao border. By 1975, having successfully assisted Thailand in eliminating Communist threats, the Thai government granted citizenship to the surviving members and their families.

In 1965, the National Defense Intelligence Bureau sought to rebuild guerrilla forces for intelligence operations in mainland China. With the approval of then-Defense Minister Chiang Ching-kuo, the "Guangwu Force" was established. Their base was set up at Makong Mountain on the Thai-Myanmar border, consisting of four operational battalions under the leadership of General Deng Wenxun. The Guangwu Force conducted intelligence and guerrilla operations deep inside China. However, as tensions escalated, Myanmar lodged complaints at the United Nations, and Taiwan's defense strategy shifted from offense to defense. Additionally, as Thailand sought to establish diplomatic ties with Communist China, the Nationalist government ordered the dissolution of the Guangwu Force in June 1975. This marked the official end of the Nationalist military presence in the China-Myanmar border region.

Over the years, the descendants of the Lost Army gradually migrated to Taiwan through family reunification, education, and marriage, settling in Zhongzheng New Village. These Thai-born and Burmese-born descendants brought with them rich cultural influences, creating a unique culinary and cultural landscape. The blend of traditional Yunnanese flavors with fresh Thai and Burmese influences became a defining feature of the village. Though shaped by different backgrounds, the shared bloodline of the Yunnanese community helped them overcome their differences. Today, in Zhongzheng New Village—where a foreign land has become home—these descendants work together to preserve their stories, their culture, and their cuisine, making Taiwan even more diverse and vibrant.