Zhai Yongming is a poet, writer, painter, and screenwriter. She began publishing poetry in 1981, gaining significant attention in 1984 with her series of poems Women, which offered a female perspective in poetry. In 1986, she became a full-time writer and produced several major works between 1986 and 2011, including the poetry collections Women, Jing'an Village and Fourteen Plain Songs and the essay collection Buildings on Paper. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including China's 50 Most Charming People, Top Ten Female Poets in China, the Zhongkun International Poetry Award, and the Italian International Literary Award.
Zhai has participated in screenwriting and film production. Her work Dragonfly Eyes received multiple awards and nominations at the Locarno Film Festival, including the FIPRESCI Prize, a Special Mention for the Catholic Humanitarian Award, and a nomination for the Golden Leopard.
In 1998, she founded the White Nights Bar, an important cultural salon in Chengdu. The venue functions as a bookstore, hosting poetry readings, film screenings, and art exhibitions, attracting writers, artists, and enthusiasts, and is often referred to as the Chinese version of the Café de Flore.