Generally speaking, the four famous Chinese inkstones refer to Taohe inkstone in Zhou Tao, Gansu, Duanyan in Zhaoqing, Guangdong, Luzhe Chengni inkstone in Shexian, Anhui, Luzhe inkstone in Shanxi and Sishui inkstone in Shandong, which are the four traditional fine inkstones in China. However, some people think that the Xugong inkstone in Luyan should be carved with natural inkstone instead of Cheng Ni inkstone, and the Hongsi inkstone in Qingzhou, Shandong Province should be called the four famous inkstones.

The characteristics of the four famous inkstones:

1. Taohe inkstone, named after Taohe, is a kind of inkstone with a long history. Taohe inkstone is characterized by crystal clear and delicate, beautiful and moving, stone lines like silk, like waves rolling and clouds surging.

2. Duanyan is a specialty of Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province, which is famous for its compactness, firmness, tenderness, exquisiteness, luster, unique and colorful stone patterns and exquisite carving art.

3. She inkstone, the full name of her state inkstone, is excellent in stone quality, graceful in color and delicate in luster, with eight virtues of "firmness, moistening, softness, health, fineness, tiredness, cleanliness and beauty".

4. Lu Zhe Cheng Ni inkstone, also known as Zheyan, Luzhe inkstone, Zhegou pottery inkstone, etc. Cheng Ni inkstone in Luzhe has the characteristics of quietness, toughness, warmth, jade-like, nourishing ink, sound like stone, dizzy touch, oily ink, no water stains and no damage to pens.