Making her Grand Prix debut, Zhang placed fourth at the 2011 Cup of China.

She finished 7th at the 2012 World Championships in Nice, France, giving China two ladies' singles berths for the 2013 event, for the first time since 1997.

In the 2013–14 season, Zhang won silver at the Asian Open Trophy in Bangkok and placed 8th at the Cup of China Grand Prix event in Beijing.

She won her first senior national title at the Chinese Championships in Changchun, having finished ahead of Zhao Ziquan.

[3] Zhang finished 15th in Sochi, Russia, after placing 14th in the short program and 15th in the free skate.