Early life Zhang was born and raised in
Kunshan,
Jiangsu. She graduated from Wuxi institute of Commerce.
Acting career Zhang began her career by acting in the historical drama
Banner Hero. In 2009, she became the spokeswoman for a national contest of football babes for the 2010 World Cup, and rose to fame in China. In 2010, Zhang made her film debut in the romance film
If You Are the One 2. Some of her notable film roles are in wuxia film
Flying Swords of Dragon Gate, and comedy film
I Love Hong Kong 2012. In 2013, Zhang starred in historical drama
The Patriot Yue Fei as
Liang Hongyu, a Chinese general of the
Song dynasty. That same year, she starred in the
wuxia television series
The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, based on the novel by
the same name by
Jin Yong. In 2014, Zhang played dual roles as
Daji and Hu Xian'er in the television series
The Investiture of the Gods, adapted from
Xu Zhonglin's classical novel
Fengshen Yanyi. Following which, she was nominated at the
Huading Awards. She gained increased attention for her role as
Li Mochou in
The Romance of the Condor Heroes, based on the novel
The Return of the Condor Heroes by Jin Yong. Also in 2014, she had roles in the historical drama
The Empress of China, playing
Consort Xiao; and
The Deer and the Cauldron, playing Su Quan. In 2015, Zhang starred in the action comedy romance film
Magic Card. She attended the
Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of the film, and received attention for her red carpet fashion. In 2016, Zhang starred alongside Zhu Yilong in
Border Town Prodigal, adapted from the classic novel of the same name by Gu Long. In 2017, Zhang played the female lead in historical drama
Song of Phoenix, which focuses on the legendary life of great Chinese poet Qu Yuan from the Warring States period. The same year, she played the leading role in wuxia drama
As Flowers Fade and Fly Across the Sky. In 2018, Zhang had a supporting role in the historical romance drama
Untouchable Lovers, where she played a male role for the first time. ==Personal life==