diff --git a/examples/gallery/3d_plots/grdview_surface.py b/examples/gallery/3d_plots/grdview_surface.py
index 9b5bbdede1d..6253087f064 100644
--- a/examples/gallery/3d_plots/grdview_surface.py
+++ b/examples/gallery/3d_plots/grdview_surface.py
@@ -46,12 +46,11 @@ def ackley(x, y):
 SCALE = 0.5  # in centimeters
 fig.grdview(
     data,
-    # Set annotations and gridlines in steps of five, and
-    # tick marks in steps of one
+    # Set annotations and gridlines in steps of five, and tick marks in steps of one
     frame=["a5f1g5", "za5f1g5"],
     projection=f"x{SCALE}c",
     zscale=f"{SCALE}c",
-    surftype="s",
+    surftype="surface",
     cmap="roma",
     perspective=[135, 30],  # Azimuth southeast (135°), at elevation 30°
     shading="+a45",
diff --git a/examples/tutorials/advanced/3d_perspective_image.py b/examples/tutorials/advanced/3d_perspective_image.py
index c380a8bf5b6..e8223e26218 100644
--- a/examples/tutorials/advanced/3d_perspective_image.py
+++ b/examples/tutorials/advanced/3d_perspective_image.py
@@ -47,10 +47,8 @@
     frame=["xa", "yaf", "WSnE"],
     projection="M15c",
     zsize="1.5c",
-    # Set the surftype to "surface"
-    surftype="s",
-    # Set the CPT to "geo"
-    cmap="geo",
+    surftype="surface",
+    cmap="geo",  # Set the CPT to "geo"
 )
 fig.show()
 
@@ -65,7 +63,7 @@
     frame=["xa", "yaf", "WSnE"],
     projection="M15c",
     zsize="1.5c",
-    surftype="s",
+    surftype="surface",
     cmap="geo",
     plane=1000,  # Set the plane elevation to 1,000 meters
     facade_fill="gray",  # Color the facade in "gray"
@@ -88,7 +86,7 @@
     frame=["xaf", "yaf", "WSnE"],
     projection="M15c",
     zsize="1.5c",
-    surftype="s",
+    surftype="surface",
     cmap="geo",
     plane=1000,
     facade_fill="gray",
diff --git a/examples/tutorials/advanced/draping_on_3d_surface.py b/examples/tutorials/advanced/draping_on_3d_surface.py
index 21131e79ec7..215e374dc21 100644
--- a/examples/tutorials/advanced/draping_on_3d_surface.py
+++ b/examples/tutorials/advanced/draping_on_3d_surface.py
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@
     grid=grd_relief,  # Use elevation grid for z values
     drape_grid=grd_age,  # Use crustal age grid for color-coding
     cmap=True,  # Use colormap created for the crustal age
-    surftype="i",  # Create an image plot
+    surftype="image",  # Create an image plot
     # Use an illumination from the azimuthal directions 0° (north) and 270°
     # (west) with a normalization via a cumulative Laplace distribution for
     # the shading
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@
     grid=grd_relief,  # Use elevation grid for z values
     drape_grid=drape_grid,  # Drape image grid for the EU flag on top
     cmap=True,  # Use colormap defined for the EU flag
-    surftype="i",  # Create an image plot
+    surftype="image",  # Create an image plot
     # Use an illumination from the azimuthal directions 0° (north) and 270° (west) with
     # a normalization via a cumulative Laplace distribution for the shading
     shading="+a0/270+ne0.6",
diff --git a/pygmt/src/grdview.py b/pygmt/src/grdview.py
index ebf820508fb..df42c5f4a65 100644
--- a/pygmt/src/grdview.py
+++ b/pygmt/src/grdview.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 from pygmt._typing import PathLike
 from pygmt.alias import Alias, AliasSystem
 from pygmt.clib import Session, __gmt_version__
+from pygmt.exceptions import GMTInvalidInput
 from pygmt.helpers import build_arg_list, deprecate_parameter, fmt_docstring, use_alias
 from pygmt.src.grdinfo import grdinfo
 
@@ -21,18 +22,19 @@
 @deprecate_parameter("facadepen", "facade_pen", "v0.18.0", remove_version="v0.20.0")
 @deprecate_parameter("meshpen", "mesh_pen", "v0.18.0", remove_version="v0.20.0")
 @deprecate_parameter("drapegrid", "drape_grid", "v0.18.0", remove_version="v0.20.0")
-@use_alias(
-    C="cmap",
-    G="drape_grid",
-    Q="surftype",
-    I="shading",
-    f="coltypes",
-    n="interpolation",
-)
+@use_alias(C="cmap", G="drape_grid", I="shading", f="coltypes", n="interpolation")
 def grdview(  # noqa: PLR0913
     self,
     grid: PathLike | xr.DataArray,
+    surftype: Literal[
+        "mesh", "surface", "surface+mesh", "image", "waterfall_x", "waterfall_y"
+    ]
+    | None = None,
+    dpi: int | None = None,
+    nan_transparent: bool = False,
+    monochrome: bool = False,
     contour_pen: str | None = None,
+    mesh_fill: float | None = None,
     mesh_pen: str | None = None,
     plane: float | bool = False,
     facade_fill: str | None = None,
@@ -40,13 +42,13 @@ def grdview(  # noqa: PLR0913
     projection: str | None = None,
     zscale: float | str | None = None,
     zsize: float | str | None = None,
-    frame: str | Sequence[str] | bool = False,
     region: Sequence[float | str] | str | None = None,
+    frame: str | Sequence[str] | bool = False,
     verbose: Literal["quiet", "error", "warning", "timing", "info", "compat", "debug"]
     | bool = False,
     panel: int | Sequence[int] | bool = False,
-    transparency: float | None = None,
     perspective: float | Sequence[float] | str | bool = False,
+    transparency: float | None = None,
     **kwargs,
 ):
     r"""
@@ -67,6 +69,7 @@ def grdview(  # noqa: PLR0913
        - JZ = zsize
        - N = plane, facade_fill
        - R = region
+       - Q = surftype, dpi, mesh_fill, nan_transparent, monochrome
        - V = verbose
        - Wc = contour_pen
        - Wf = facade_pen
@@ -78,15 +81,6 @@ def grdview(  # noqa: PLR0913
     Parameters
     ----------
     $grid
-    region : str or list
-        *xmin/xmax/ymin/ymax*\ [**+r**][**+u**\ *unit*].
-        Specify the :doc:`region </tutorials/basics/regions>` of interest. When used
-        with ``perspective``, optionally append */zmin/zmax* to indicate the range to
-        use for the 3-D axes [Default is the region given by the input grid].
-    $projection
-    zscale/zsize
-        Set z-axis scaling or z-axis size.
-    $frame
     cmap : str
         The name of the color palette table to use.
     drape_grid : str or :class:`xarray.DataArray`
@@ -95,24 +89,30 @@ def grdview(  # noqa: PLR0913
         Note that ``zscale`` and ``plane`` always refer to ``grid``. ``drape_grid`` only
         provides the information pertaining to colors, which (if ``drape_grid`` is a
         grid) will be looked-up via the CPT (see ``cmap``).
-    surftype : str
-        Specify cover type of the grid. Select one of following settings:
-
-        - **m**: mesh plot [Default].
-        - **mx** or **my**: waterfall plots (row or column profiles).
-        - **s**: surface plot, and optionally append **m** to have mesh lines drawn on
-          top of the surface.
-        - **i**: image plot.
-        - **c**: Same as **i** but will make nodes with z = NaN transparent.
-
-        For any of these choices, you may force a monochrome image by appending the
-        modifier **+m**.
+    surftype
+        Specify surface type for the grid. Valid values are:
+
+        - ``"mesh"``: mesh plot [Default].
+        - ``"surface``: surface plot.
+        - ``"surface+mesh"``: surface plot with mesh lines drawn on top of the surface.
+        - ``"image"``: image plot.
+        - ``"waterfall_x"``/``"waterfall_y"``: waterfall plots (row or column profiles).
+    dpi
+        Effective dots-per-unit resolution for the rasterization for image plots (i.e.,
+        ``surftype="image"``) [Default is :gmt-term:`GMT_GRAPHICS_DPU`]
+    nan_transparent
+        Make grid nodes with z = NaN transparent, using the color-masking feature in
+        PostScript Level 3. Only applies when ``surftype="image"``.
+    monochrome
+        Force conversion to monochrome image using the (television) YIQ transformation.
     contour_pen
         Draw contour lines on top of surface or mesh (not image). Append pen attributes
         used for the contours.
     mesh_pen
-        Set the pen attributes used for the mesh. You must also select ``surftype`` of
-        **m** or **sm** for meshlines to be drawn.
+        Set the pen attributes used for the mesh. Need to set ``surftype`` to
+        ``"mesh"``, or ``"surface+mesh"`` to draw meshlines.
+    mesh_fill
+        Set the mesh fill in mesh plot or waterfall plots [Default is white].
     plane
         Draw a plane at the specified z-level. If ``True``, defaults to the minimum
         value in the grid. However, if ``region`` was used to set *zmin/zmax* then
@@ -133,6 +133,15 @@ def grdview(  # noqa: PLR0913
         **+m**\ *ambient* to specify azimuth, intensity, and ambient arguments for that
         function, or just give **+d** to select the default arguments [Default is
         ``"+a-45+nt1+m0"``].
+    $projection
+    zscale/zsize
+        Set z-axis scaling or z-axis size.
+    region : str or list
+        *xmin/xmax/ymin/ymax*\ [**+r**][**+u**\ *unit*].
+        Specify the :doc:`region </tutorials/basics/regions>` of interest. When used
+        with ``perspective``, optionally append */zmin/zmax* to indicate the range to
+        use for the 3-D axes [Default is the region given by the input grid].
+    $frame
     $verbose
     $panel
     $coltypes
@@ -165,7 +174,7 @@ def grdview(  # noqa: PLR0913
     ...     # Set the vertical scale (z-axis) to 2 cm
     ...     zsize="2c",
     ...     # Set "surface plot" to color the surface via a CPT
-    ...     surftype="s",
+    ...     surftype="surface",
     ...     # Specify CPT to "geo"
     ...     cmap="geo",
     ... )
@@ -174,6 +183,40 @@ def grdview(  # noqa: PLR0913
     """
     self._activate_figure()
 
+    if dpi is not None and surftype != "image":
+        msg = "Parameter 'dpi' can only be used when 'surftype' is 'image'."
+        raise GMTInvalidInput(msg)
+    if nan_transparent and surftype != "image":
+        msg = "Parameter 'nan_transparent' can only be used when 'surftype' is 'image'."
+        raise GMTInvalidInput(msg)
+    if mesh_fill is not None and surftype not in {"mesh", "waterfall_x", "waterfall_y"}:
+        msg = (
+            "Parameter 'mesh_fill' can only be used when 'surftype' is 'mesh', "
+            "'waterfall_x', or 'waterfall_y'."
+        )
+        raise GMTInvalidInput(msg)
+
+    _surftype_mapping = {
+        "surface": "s",
+        "mesh": "m",
+        "surface+mesh": "sm",
+        "image": "c" if nan_transparent is True else "i",
+        "waterfall_x": "mx",
+        "waterfall_y": "my",
+    }
+
+    # Previously, 'surftype' was aliased to Q.
+    _old_surftype_syntax = surftype is not None and surftype not in _surftype_mapping
+
+    if _old_surftype_syntax and any(
+        v not in {None, False} for v in (dpi, mesh_fill, monochrome, nan_transparent)
+    ):
+        msg = (
+            "Parameter 'surftype' is given with a raw GMT command string, and conflicts "
+            "with parameters 'dpi', 'mesh_fill', 'monochrome', or 'nan_transparent'."
+        )
+        raise GMTInvalidInput(msg)
+
     # Enable 'plane' if 'facade_fill' or 'facade_pen' are set
     if plane is False and (facade_fill is not None or facade_pen is not None):
         plane = True
@@ -193,6 +236,16 @@ def grdview(  # noqa: PLR0913
     aliasdict = AliasSystem(
         Jz=Alias(zscale, name="zscale"),
         JZ=Alias(zsize, name="zsize"),
+        Q=[
+            Alias(
+                surftype,
+                name="surftype",
+                mapping=_surftype_mapping if not _old_surftype_syntax else None,
+            ),
+            Alias(dpi, name="dpi"),
+            Alias(mesh_fill, name="mesh_fill"),
+            Alias(monochrome, name="monochrome", prefix="+m"),
+        ],
         N=[
             Alias(plane, name="plane"),
             Alias(facade_fill, name="facade_fill", prefix="+g"),
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_grdview_image_dpi.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_grdview_image_dpi.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..8864be6e72f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_grdview_image_dpi.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+outs:
+- md5: d384910b17de5a2a842cd2625761c821
+  size: 224724
+  hash: md5
+  path: test_grdview_image_dpi.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_grdview_mesh_pen_and_mesh_fill.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_grdview_mesh_pen_and_mesh_fill.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e3c16423c6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_grdview_mesh_pen_and_mesh_fill.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+outs:
+- md5: 9158bd6308a9bb59fdcaf56e406954b3
+  size: 55008
+  hash: md5
+  path: test_grdview_mesh_pen_and_mesh_fill.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_grdview_surftype.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_grdview_surftype.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e76f60713a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_grdview_surftype.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+outs:
+- md5: 3c4e5e2aba5d541909ad94e4ec203186
+  size: 225575
+  hash: md5
+  path: test_grdview_surftype.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_grdview_with_cmap_for_image_plot.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_grdview_with_cmap_for_image_plot.png.dvc
deleted file mode 100644
index b85a4ddb08c..00000000000
--- a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_grdview_with_cmap_for_image_plot.png.dvc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,4 +0,0 @@
-outs:
-- md5: 22264dc7db5565465d47092a139377cc
-  size: 267613
-  path: test_grdview_with_cmap_for_image_plot.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_grdview_with_cmap_for_surface_monochrome_plot.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_grdview_with_cmap_for_surface_monochrome_plot.png.dvc
deleted file mode 100644
index 3f3cbac6d9a..00000000000
--- a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_grdview_with_cmap_for_surface_monochrome_plot.png.dvc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,4 +0,0 @@
-outs:
-- md5: 152085fd81de3ad78b5c7ffb3cf0d080
-  size: 95530
-  path: test_grdview_with_cmap_for_surface_monochrome_plot.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/test_grdview.py b/pygmt/tests/test_grdview.py
index 021495b9de8..b3dbf5e6bb7 100644
--- a/pygmt/tests/test_grdview.py
+++ b/pygmt/tests/test_grdview.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 import pytest
 from pygmt import Figure, grdcut
-from pygmt.exceptions import GMTTypeError
+from pygmt.exceptions import GMTInvalidInput, GMTTypeError
 from pygmt.helpers import GMTTempFile
 from pygmt.helpers.testing import load_static_earth_relief
 
@@ -53,6 +53,102 @@ def test_grdview_grid_dataarray(xrgrid):
     return fig
 
 
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
+def test_grdview_surftype(grid):
+    """
+    Test grdview with different surftype values.
+    """
+    args = {
+        "grid": grid,
+        "projection": "M?",
+        "frame": True,
+        "panel": True,
+        "perspective": (-150, 25),
+        "zsize": "1.0c",
+    }
+
+    fig = Figure()
+    with fig.subplot(nrows=2, ncols=3, subsize=("5c", "5c"), margins=(0, -0.5)):
+        for surftype in [
+            "mesh",
+            "surface",
+            "surface+mesh",
+            "image",
+            "waterfall_x",
+            "waterfall_y",
+        ]:
+            if surftype in {"surface", "surface+mesh"}:
+                fig.grdview(surftype=surftype, cmap="SCM/oleron", **args)
+            else:
+                fig.grdview(surftype=surftype, **args)
+    return fig
+
+
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
+def test_grdview_image_dpi(grid):
+    """
+    Test grdview with surftype="image" and dpi parameter.
+    """
+    fig = Figure()
+    for dpi in [None, 10, 100]:
+        fig.grdview(
+            grid=grid,
+            projection="M4c",
+            surftype="image",
+            dpi=dpi,
+            frame=["af", f"WSen+tdpi={dpi}"],
+            perspective=(225, 30),
+        )
+        fig.shift_origin(xshift="7c")
+    return fig
+
+
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
+def test_grdview_monochrome(grid):
+    """
+    Test grdview with different surftype values and monochrome=True.
+    """
+    args = {
+        "grid": grid,
+        "projection": "M?",
+        "frame": True,
+        "panel": True,
+        "perspective": (-150, 25),
+        "zsize": "1.0c",
+        "monochrome": True,
+    }
+    fig = Figure()
+    with fig.subplot(nrows=2, ncols=3, subsize=("5c", "5c"), margins=(0, -0.5)):
+        for surftype in ["mesh", "surface", "surface+mesh"]:
+            if surftype in {"surface", "surface+mesh"}:
+                fig.grdview(surftype=surftype, cmap="SCM/oleron", **args)
+            else:
+                fig.grdview(surftype=surftype, **args)
+    return fig
+
+
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
+def test_grdview_mesh_pen_and_mesh_fill(grid):
+    """
+    Test grdview with mesh_pena and mesh_fill parameters.
+    """
+    args = {
+        "grid": grid,
+        "projection": "M?",
+        "frame": True,
+        "panel": True,
+        "perspective": (-150, 25),
+        "zsize": "1.0c",
+        "mesh_fill": "lightred",
+        "mesh_pen": "0.5p,blue",
+    }
+    fig = Figure()
+    with fig.subplot(nrows=1, ncols=3, subsize=("5c", "5c"), margins=0):
+        for surftype in ["mesh", "waterfall_x", "waterfall_y"]:
+            fig.grdview(surftype=surftype, **args)
+    return fig
+
+
 def test_grdview_wrong_kind_of_grid(xrgrid):
     """
     Run grdview using grid input that is not an xarray.DataArray or file.
@@ -98,27 +194,6 @@ def test_grdview_with_perspective_and_zsize(xrgrid):
     return fig
 
 
-@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
-def test_grdview_with_cmap_for_image_plot(xrgrid):
-    """
-    Run grdview by passing in a grid and setting a colormap for producing an image plot.
-    """
-    fig = Figure()
-    fig.grdview(grid=xrgrid, cmap="oleron", surftype="i")
-    return fig
-
-
-@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
-def test_grdview_with_cmap_for_surface_monochrome_plot(xrgrid):
-    """
-    Run grdview by passing in a grid and setting a colormap for producing a surface
-    monochrome plot.
-    """
-    fig = Figure()
-    fig.grdview(grid=xrgrid, cmap="oleron", surftype="s+m")
-    return fig
-
-
 @pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_grdview_with_cmap_for_perspective_surface_plot(xrgrid):
     """
@@ -127,7 +202,11 @@ def test_grdview_with_cmap_for_perspective_surface_plot(xrgrid):
     """
     fig = Figure()
     fig.grdview(
-        grid=xrgrid, cmap="oleron", surftype="s", perspective=[225, 30], zscale=0.005
+        grid=xrgrid,
+        cmap="oleron",
+        surftype="surface",
+        perspective=[225, 30],
+        zscale=0.005,
     )
     return fig
 
@@ -182,7 +261,7 @@ def test_grdview_surface_plot_styled_with_contourpen(xrgrid):
     """
     fig = Figure()
     fig.grdview(
-        grid=xrgrid, cmap="relief", surftype="s", contour_pen="0.5p,black,dashed"
+        grid=xrgrid, cmap="relief", surftype="surface", contour_pen="0.5p,black,dashed"
     )
     return fig
 
@@ -194,7 +273,12 @@ def test_grdview_surface_mesh_plot_styled_with_meshpen(xrgrid):
     mesh plot.
     """
     fig = Figure()
-    fig.grdview(grid=xrgrid, cmap="relief", surftype="sm", mesh_pen="0.5p,black,dashed")
+    fig.grdview(
+        grid=xrgrid,
+        cmap="relief",
+        surftype="surface+mesh",
+        mesh_pen="0.5p,black,dashed",
+    )
     return fig
 
 
@@ -243,7 +327,12 @@ def test_grdview_drapegrid_dataarray(xrgrid):
 
     fig = Figure()
     fig.grdview(
-        grid=xrgrid, drape_grid=drape_grid, cmap="oleron", surftype="c", frame=True
+        grid=xrgrid,
+        drape_grid=drape_grid,
+        cmap="oleron",
+        surftype="image",
+        nan_transparent=True,
+        frame=True,
     )
     return fig
 
@@ -256,3 +345,32 @@ def test_grdview_wrong_kind_of_drapegrid(xrgrid):
     fig = Figure()
     with pytest.raises(GMTTypeError):
         fig.grdview(grid=xrgrid, drape_grid=dataset)
+
+
+def test_grdview_invalid_surftype(gridfile):
+    """
+    Test grdview with an invalid surftype or invalid combination of surftype and other
+    parameters.
+    """
+    fig = Figure()
+    with pytest.raises(GMTInvalidInput):
+        fig.grdview(grid=gridfile, surftype="surface", dpi=300)
+    with pytest.raises(GMTInvalidInput):
+        fig.grdview(grid=gridfile, surftype="surface", nan_transparent=True)
+    with pytest.raises(GMTInvalidInput):
+        fig.grdview(grid=gridfile, surftype="surface", mesh_fill="red")
+
+
+def test_grdview_mixed_syntax(gridfile):
+    """
+    Run grdview using grid as a file and drapegrid as an xarray.DataArray.
+    """
+    fig = Figure()
+    with pytest.raises(GMTInvalidInput):
+        fig.grdview(grid=gridfile, cmap="oleron", surftype="i", dpi=300)
+    with pytest.raises(GMTInvalidInput):
+        fig.grdview(grid=gridfile, cmap="oleron", surftype="m", mesh_fill="red")
+    with pytest.raises(GMTInvalidInput):
+        fig.grdview(grid=gridfile, cmap="oleron", surftype="s", monochrome=True)
+    with pytest.raises(GMTInvalidInput):
+        fig.grdview(grid=gridfile, cmap="oleron", surftype="i", nan_transparent=True)