Born in Beijing, Zhan graduated from the Sculpture Department of Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1988 and acquired his Master degree from Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1995. In 1990, he started creating sculptures of Pure Realism. In 1991, he participated in the New Generation Art Exhibition. In 1992, he participated in Exhibition of Contemporary Young Sculptors. In 1995, his work was selected in the Beijing-Berlin Art Exchange Exhibition and in the Exhibition of Works Nominated by Chinese Art Critics. In 1997, he participated in 97 Chinese Contemporary Art Exhibition in Tokyo and in "Moving Cities" Asian Contemporary Art Exhibition Tour. His works were published in World Sculptures: Eastern Section, 50 Years of Chinese Fine Arts, The Complete Treasury of Chinese Fine Arts, etc. He has issued an academic dissertation, Conceptual Sculpture - The Idea of Materialization. His works have been collected in many art museums in China and in the Museum of Chicago University as well as in the personal collection of collectors in Switzerland, Germany, United States, and Singapore, etc.