LING Hongxun was born in Guangdong and LING SU Fengping was his wife. Ling was born to a literati family and learnt Chinese literature from his father. At a young age, Ling took up the role of editor in his school’s editorial board. He later developed his career in railway construction with significant contribution in China’s history of railway development. In 1984, Ling was appointed as one of the Academicians in the Academia Sinica.