From an early age she was taught how to sing and perform Yu opera by her father Zhang Fuxian who feared she may become a child bride.

At aged thirteen she appeared in a performance of the Chinese classic Romance of the Western Chamber (西廂記) were afterwards she was given the title Queen of Yuju Opera.

[2][3] On the outbreak of the Korean War, Chang took part in live action performances of Mulan across China to raise funds for a military plane.

To tout their gender egalitarian policies, a film about Mulan was made with Chang cast in the lead role.

[4] Later Chang got into politics and was elected to the National People's Congress attending the first three session and then the fifth sixth and seventh.