Hou Dianlu was born in Ximiaogou village, Heisongyi township, Gulang county, in October 1937. Hou joined the army in 1954 and the Communist Party of China in 1956.

Hou acted as a judicial assistance officer and head of the Office of Justice of Heisongyi township, Gulang county, from January 1986 to July 2000, and was praised as the just man for grassroots judicial protection of rights.

Hou, a Han Chinese, was honored as the "Advanced Individual for Rectifying Railway Order", the "Advanced Worker in Comprehensive Administration of Social Security" and the "Advanced Good Samaritan" of Gansu province in succession from 1989 to 1992.

In 1992, Hou was named as the "Advanced Individual for Comprehensive Administration of Social Security" by the Central Committee for Comprehensive Management of Public Security. In 1993, he was awarded a Class I Citation for Merit by the provincial Department of Justice. In 1994, he was conferred the honorary title of "Gansu Model Worker" by the provincial Party committee and provincial government.