Zhang Xitang was born in 1944 in Jiaozuo, and started martial training at a young age. He began studies of the small frame of Chen Style Taiji with Master Fan Hongxin in 1968. In 1970, he studied Chen Style Yi Lu and Er Lu with Master Wang Xian and in 1976 he became a student of Master Chen Zhaokui.

In 1985, he studied the Chen Style 48 movement form with Master Feng Zhiqiang. He has also studied Chen Style Chang Quan 108 movement and Chen Style short fist 24 movement forms, as well as Taiji Sword, Cunqiu Grand Saber, staff, and other weapons.