Li made his acting debut in the 1997 television series, Seventeen Year-Olds Don't Cry, and was remembered for his role as a young, energetic and pure boy.

Li's career went quiet for several years, in which time he embarked on several unsuccessful business ventures and flirted with the idea of becoming a racing car driver.

[1] In 2002, under the recommendation of his mentor Lü Liping, Li got the role of Qi Beile in the palace romance drama 13th Princess and started to re-gain attention.

He continued his upward trajectory with several high profile films and television series including My Chief and My Regiment (2009) and Aftershock (2010);[6] his performance in the latter resonated with the audience and earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Hundred Flowers Awards.

[14] Li then co-starred in war drama The Good Fellas, which he also acts as the creator cum executive producer.