He was born in Guan County, Shandong Province, on September 10, 1925 to his father, Yu Xinhai, and to his mother, only known under the maiden name of Xu (full name unknown). He was an artistic genius since he was a child.

In 1934, his mother passed away due to an illness, and he was deeply pained by the loss of his mother.

In 1935, he went to Tangyi, Shandong, to follow his uncle, Xu Zonghai. Zonghai was a well-known freehand flower and bird painter during this time. Chung-lin was deeply influenced by his uncle whom laid the foundation for Chung-lin’s specialization in flowers and birds in the future.

In 1942, he graduated from Shandong No. 19 Union High School.

In 1943, he laid down the pen and took up the sword to join the army and entered the training class of the Party and Government Federation Department to learn communications, and joined the ranks of the Anti-Japanese War, conducting guerrilla warfare behind enemy lines.

In 1945, he worked as a communications officer in the Military and Political Department of the Jinan National Army.

In August of 1947, he married Ms. Wang Qingyun, who is from Jinghai County, Hebei Province, in Jinan City, Shandong Province.

He came to Taiwan with the National Army on May 1, 1949.

During his spare time in 1950, he went to audit at the Department of Fine Arts at Teachers Training College, under the tutelage of Mr. Jin Qinbo, specializing in flowers and birds.

In 1956, together with Mr. Sun Jiaqin and Mr. Hu Nianzu, he formed “Lishui Jingshe” in Lishui Street, Taipei City.

In 1958, he retired as captain of the Communication Center at the Ministry of National Defense and devoted himself to painting.

On November 21, 1959, the first joint exhibition of “Lishui Jingshe” was held at Zhongshan Hall, in Taipei.

On December 8, 1962, the second joint exhibition of “Lishui Jingshe” was held at Taipei Provincial Museum.

On August 18, 1966, a solo exhibition was held at the English-language China Post Gallery.

On New Year’s Day in 1967, he held a joint art exhibition with Mr. Hu Nianzu at Haitian Gallery in Taipei.

In February of 1967, he held a joint exhibition with Mr. Hu Nianzu at Mascagnid’ Italia gallery in California, USA.

In April of 1967, he held a joint exhibition with Mr. Hu Nianzu at the Citrus Art Department in California, USA.

In September of 1967, he held a joint exhibition with Mr. Hu Nianzu at Art Cellar in California, USA.

In June of 1972, a solo exhibition of sketches was held at Linyun Gallery in Taipei.

In July of 1975, he was invited to teach Chinese painting at the Art Department of University of Hawaii.

In July of 1975, he held a solo exhibition at Wailoa Center in Hawaii, USA.

On New Year’s Day in 1977, he organized the “Liu Liu” painting fair with Ma Jinfeng, Li Damu, Wu Ping, Ji Kang and Zhou Cheng.

In September of 1977, he was invited to Japan to host the exhibition of modern Chinese painting masters.

In 1977, he won the Golden Goblet Award from the Chinese Painting Society.

In December of 1978, a solo exhibition was held at Taipei Provincial Museum.

In 1982, he won the “Zhongxing Literature and Art Medal”.

In October of 1982, a solo exhibition was held at Taipei History Museum.

In November of 1982, he was invited to South Korea to respond to the Korean “New Life Movement” and participated in the “Scholarship Bazaar” exhibition.

In February of 1983, he was hospitalized for stomach problems and underwent surgery.

On May 4, 1985, he passed away from illness.

On July 14, 1985, the exhibition of Yu Chung-lin’s posthumous works was exhibited at the National Gallery of the National Museum of History.

On July 29, 1985, Yu Zhonglin’s posthumous works were exhibited at the Crown Art Center and the Crown Gallery.

(This chronology was originally published in Yu Chung-lin’s Flower and Bird Album)