Duanhua was born in the Manchu Aisin Gioro clan as the third son of Ulgungga (烏爾恭阿), a descendant of Jirgalang, a nephew of Nurhaci (the founder of the Qing dynasty).
Duanhua also recommended his brother, Sushun, to serve in the Qing imperial court.
During the Second Opium War, Duanhua accompanied the ailing Xianfeng Emperor to Rehe to escape from the foreign invaders.
Later that year, Duanhua and the other seven regents were ousted from power in the Xinyou Coup (辛酉政變) orchestrated by Prince Gong and Empress Dowager Cixi.
Duanhua was arrested, imprisoned, and eventually forced to commit suicide.