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Here is a detailed introduction to the controversy surrounding the use of tombstones for paving paths in a national forest park in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province.

📋 Incident Summary

In May 2026, visitors to the Huishan National Forest Park in Wuxi discovered that parts of a hiking trail were paved with cut-up old tombstones, with Chinese characters like "loving father" (先父), "beloved wife" (贤妻), and "uncle" (伯父) still clearly visible on the stone steps. The park administration responded that these stones were unclaimed tombstones taken from the area and used as local materials during the construction of the path years ago.

🔍 The Discovery and Visitor Reactions

The issue came to light on May 20, 2026, when tourists hiking along the North Slope trail near Baiyun Temple noticed the inscriptions on the steps. One visitor expressed strong discomfort, stating it showed disrespect to the deceased and their families and caused a "negative psychological impact" on tourists. The visitor noted that even if using local materials was unavoidable, the inscriptions should have been covered or removed out of basic respect.

🗣️ Park Administration's Explanation

When contacted by a reporter, staff from the Huishan National Forest Park explained the origins of the path:

  • Local History: The north slope of Huishan Mountain is covered with private graves from the hillside to the foot of the mountain, some dating back to the Qing Dynasty.
  • Funeral Reform in 2005: That year, the Wuxi municipal government launched a campaign to clean up illegal private burials in the area. The policy aimed to halt unauthorized burials, clear unmarked and unclaimed graves, and eventually transform the area into an eco-tourism destination.
  • "Local Materials": During the cleanup, large tombstones and concrete structures were dismantled. The unclaimed tombstones were then cut and reused as paving material for the trail, which was funded and built by the nearby Longhai Temple and Baiyun Temple. The park staff suggested that the front of the tombstones was likely used because it was smoother than the back.

🗣️ Public and Visitor Sentiment

The explanation has done little to quell the unease among visitors. Many feel that walking on gravestones is inherently disrespectful, regardless of whether the graves were "unclaimed." One visitor commented, "Even if they have no descendants, shouldn't we at least cover the inscriptions?". The incident has sparked broader discussion online about cultural sensitivity and the respectful treatment of the deceased.

The park has not yet announced any specific corrective measures but the public discussion continues.