Born in Wangxi, Taihoku Cho (today's Yonghe District, New Taipei City), on 5 October 1907, Yang grew up in an upper-class family.

Traveling in Europe, he was able to study and emulate the great works of museums and practice en plein air painting.

It was during this time that he was able to assimilate the techniques of masters such as Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot (1796~1875), Gustave Courbet (1819~1877), and Maurice Utrillo (1883~1955), which led to a change in his style from dark and gloomy tones to bright and fresh colors.

Yang San-lang devoted himself to the practice of en plein air throughout his life and his painted locations were throughout Taiwan, mainland China, Japan, Europe, and the United States.

His artistic style was influenced by the Impressionist school, making use of symmetrical composition, bold and vigorous strokes, vivid and varied colors, and a rich array of textures.