Ray graduated from the Acting Department of the Central Academy of Drama. Due to his exceptional musical talent and innate quality as an artist, he is affectionately known as the "Central Academy of Drama’s Campus Hottie". Due to his handsome appearance, he was selected as the representative of the Hui ethnic group for the Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremony performance. In 2010, he starred in his first TV series "The Dream of Red Mansions", officially entering the entertainment industry. In 2011, he played the role of the fifth brother Aisin Gioro Yong Qi in the historical romantic comedy series "New My Fair Princess".; In the same year, he played the main lead in the historical drama "Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties". In 2012, he won the Best New Actor in Film and Television Award at the 6th Tencent Starlight Awards.; Following, he played the male lead Qi Fei in the urban emotional suspense series "Flowers in Fog". In 2013, he released his first self-titled album "Zhang Rui".; In the same year, he served as the host of Sichuan Satellite TV’s outdoor reality show "2 Days & 1 Night". In 2014, he won the Most Popular Newcomer Award in mainland China on “MusicRadio China Top Chart Awards”. In 2015, he played the main lead in the urban fashion inspirational series "Hello Tomorrow". On May 23, 2016, the Wuxia period drama "Chinese Paladin 5" he played the main lead in premiered on Hunan TV.; In the same year, he played the main lead in the legendary period drama “Rule the World".