Ding was born in 1959 in Jiamusi, Heilongjiang, she graduated from Shanghai Theatre Academy, majoring in acting.
After graduating she was assigned to the National Theatre Company of China, where she met her first boyfriend.
In 1992, Ding won the "Best Supporting Actress" at the 12th Golden Rooster Awards for her performance in Spring Festival.
One year later, Ding won the Splendor Award and the 17th Plum Blossom Prize.
In 2006, Ding participated in The Lane Premier, a film directed by Li Qimin, which garnered her an "Outstanding Actress" award at the 12th Huabiao Awards and received nomination at the 8th Changchun Film Festival.