墓石 (mùshí): tombstone; gravestone

墓碑 (mùbēi) is by far the more common everyday word for 'tombstone' in mainland Chinese. 墓石 carries a slightly more literary or archaeological tone — fitting for ancient grave markers, museum captions, or formal writing.

culture

Tombstones are visited annually at 清明节 (Qīngmíng Jié, Tomb-Sweeping Day, early April), when families clean the grave, burn 纸钱 (zhǐqián, 'spirit money'), and offer food. Inscriptions traditionally face south and include 生卒 (shēngzú, 'birth and death') dates and the deceased's relation to the dedicating descendants.