Liu enrolled at Hunan Normal University, earning a bachelor's degree in Chinese literature.

[9] In March 2000, Liu hosted Financial Report and Green News in Southern Television Guangdong.

[11] In 2009, Liu acted in the historical television series The Legend of Yang Guifei directed by You Xiaogang, playing the role of Empress Zhang.

[13][14] In 2012, Liu was cast in the historical television series Against the Blade of Honour, which adapted from Taiwanese novelist Gu Long's wuxia novel of the same title.

After playing minor roles in various films and television series, Liu then acted bigger roles in Badges of Fury, The Incredible Truth, Jian Bing Man and I Belonged to You, which enjoyed commercial box office success in China and she quickly rose to prominence.