Yuen Ling was originally born in Fatson, Gwang Dung province China. He learned “old style” Hung Ga, Which is a branch of the art from Hung Hei Guen, but not through Wong Fei Hung. He learned this system from Sifu Luk Fung Seh.
He also learned Dog Boxing from Sifu Gum Yuen Dang. In 1949, he went to Hong Kong and began to learn Hung Kuen with Tang Fong until the latter’s death, where upon he took over Tang’s position at the Sau Kay Wan fish market. During his tenure at the market, he had a school at 73 Dong Tai Street, in Hong Kong.