Dong Chunyu started his football career when he played for Shenzhen Jianlibao's and Xiamen Lanshi's youth academies between 2004 and 2007.

He moved to Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Pharmaceutical's youth academy in 2008 after Xiamen Lanshi was dissolved and he was promoted to the club's first team in December 2009.

Dong returned to the first team in 2012 and made his debut in the first leg of 2012 Chinese FA Cup semi-finals in which Guangzhou beat Liaoning Whowin 1-0, coming on as a substitute for Li Shuai.

The following season would see the club fight against relegation and while he would play his part in ensuring the team remained within the division the next campaign saw Dong dropped into a reserve goalkeeper position.

[6] Dong received his first call-up to the Chinese under-22 national team in April 2012 and made his debut against Malawi on 9 May 2012.