Chia Ling studied acrobatics at a young age before joining the Fu Shing Opera School, which is where she shone as a gifted stage performer. She eventually caught the eye of Peter Yang Kwan in 1972, who promptly had her cast as the lead in the film The Avenger. Her performance was so well received that Peter Yang Kwan also presented her in his next film that same year-- The Escape. Her acting career was more or less assured thereafter.