Initially, Chang could not attend school but the education of a wealthy neighbour's child engendered in him a desire to learn.
Chang debuted at nine years of age and later appeared at a xiangsheng convention at the Qi Ming Tea House, in the Xi Dan shopping mall, Beijing.
[citation needed] In 1942, Chang performed in Beautiful Song City (锦绣歌城) and Huatian Bacuo (花田八错).
[citation needed] Chang later became a judge and a teacher of xiangsheng at institutions such as Peking University and at the North Folk Art Forms School.
[citation needed] In August 2006, Chang received a Peony award for his contribution to the performing arts in China.
Hat Factory (帽子工厂) and short sketch Language Doctor (语言医生) were published in the Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao in an article called Selected Xiangsheng of Chang's Family (常氏相声选).