The Qu family was a representative merchant among Shanxi businessmen.The family started it business in the first years of
the Qing Dynasty as small retailers and gradually developed into a nationally well-known financial capitalist after painstaking efforts of more than 10 generations for over 40 years.What is praiseworthy is that the Qu family ignited Shanxi national indus- try in which they invented their hard-gained profits and capital, leaving us an ever-lasting touching story in the movement of anti- imperialism and mine protection.In addition,the Qu family has done a great deal in relieving the
people in stricken areas,in helping the poor people,in developing culture and in initiating education. The Qu family compound is made up of many courtyards and the sculptures on the buildings are all exquisite works of art,a greater part of which was destroyed during the war period and the“Cultural Revolution”Only the spacious and serene Qu fam- ily
courtyard has survived,standing there to welcome tourists to visit and ponder on the past.