Before becoming an expert in the preservation of cultural relics, Zhang held various part-time jobs after graduating from junior middle school.

The turning point was in 1991 when three Buddha statues were destroyed and 12 Buddha heads were stolen in Chongqing Temple in Zhangzi county. The local government recruited two security guards for Chongqing and Faxing temples and Zhang was appointed as one at Chongqing Temple in 1993. He later became docent at Faxing Temple.

"There was no water and electricity in the temple and in winter it was freezing cold," Zhang says as he recalls the early days as a security guard when he lived in the temple.

With no doors, he hung up a rudimentary straw curtain to keep warm. At first, he took on the temple's daily maintenance and with his knowledge about the temple and Buddhism increasing, he became a volunteer docent. Beyond his expectations, visitors have been deeply impressed by his knowledge.