Yulong SHI graduated from Lanzhou University with a Bachelor's Degree in 1988 and from Peking University with a Master's Degree in 1991.

In 1996-2007, he did studies in the fields of urbanization, regional development and sustainable development in NDRC. He has presided over and participated in the over 40 subjects including those entrusted by the state, ministries and commissions and local governments, the "863" Program, the 11^th Five-Year Technological Support Plan Projects and international cooperation projects, and has participated in the drafting of major plans and documents.

He won three second prizes at the provincial and ministerial level; one third prize for outstanding research achievements of NDRC; three "Second Prizes & Third Prizes for Outstanding Research Achievements of the Academy of Macroeconomic Research" respectively; two "Third Prizes for Outstanding Annual Survey Reports of the Academy of Macroeconomic Research" and one "First Prize for Outstanding Papers of the Chinese Society for Sustainable Development". He has edited and published 2 academic monographs and published more than 50 academic papers in academic journals both at home and abroad.

Apart from being commissioner in NDRC, he is also a Member of the Urban Geography Professional Committee of the Geographical Society of China, an review expert of the Management and Science Department of National Natural Science Foundation of China, a Member of editorial board of academic journals such as Urban Studies and China's Urbanization.