Cheng Shanhsi was born in Fujian, China. In 1950, he immigrated in Taiwan. In 1953, he graduated from the National Tainan Teachers College, majoring in Arts. In 1960, he graduated from National Taiwan Normal University, also majoring in Arts. Next, he worked for "Taichung Teachers Academy", National Taichung Teachers College, and National Taiwan Normal University, teaching students the techniques of ink paintings.

In 1969, he exhibited his artworks for the first time. Among all his artworks, he has won the first prize in the 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1969 provincial traditional Chinese painting competitions for teachers; the second during 1967, the first in the 1965 and 1967 provincial tra...