Books of stone rubbings are calligraphy models used for imitation and practice when learning Chinese calligraphy.

In order to record and narrate great events as well as eulogize merits and virtues, the ancient Chinese would have famous craftsmen engrave and chisel characters of certain content on cliffs or steles after having calligraphists write them. Most of the engraved stones are of high literary and artistic value. After the invention of paper, people would use paper to make ink rubbings from characters on engraved stones for the convenience of study and facsimile. Fabrication of books of rubbings was started early in the Han-Wei Period in China. By the early Tang Dynasty, technique in this regard was fairly high.

In the Song Dynasty, it was desired by numerous calligraphy enthusiasts that large quantities of models of famous calligraphists were available for study and practice. Such a method was originated afterwards: Use paper to trace ink marks of products of famous calligraphists and print them on steles, then engrave and chisel them, make ink rubbings from the characters and finally, bind them into books. Such books of rubbings exclusively used for imitating and practicing calligraphy are referred to as books of stone rubbings. Books of stone rubbings allow for reproducing in large amount and thus facilitate transmission.

In modern times, books of stone rubbings serve not only as precious materials for studying and practicing calligraphies of ancient people, but also as crucial historical materials for researching ancient societies.

At present, over 11000 pieces of relics are perfectly preserved in Xi'an Beilin Museum. They include famous calligraphy steles of renowned calligraphists since the Tang Dynasty, such as Ouyang Xun, Chu Suiliang, Yu Shinan, Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan, Huai Su, and Zhang Xu.

More than 5000 engraved steles made in dynasties since the Western Han Dynasty are currently preserved in Qufu, Shandong Province. It is one of the places abundant in Chinese stele culture.