Shan started his research on the conservation and planning of historical cities and cultural heritage areas while studying in Japan from 1980 to 1984.

[3] Shan Jixiang entered the workforce in January 1971 and joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in June 1985.

[citation needed] Shan was deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Urban Planning Administration from January 1992 to May 1994, and director and Chinese Communist Party Committee Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage from May 1994 to August 1997.

He became the CCP branch secretary and director of Beijing Municipal Planning Commission in January 2001, and served until August 2002.

[6] According to a public announcement from the Palace Museum, Shan Jixiang retired on April 8, 2019, succeeded by the director of Dunhuang Research Academy, Wang Xudong.