Li Yukai was born in Muping County, Shandong Province in 1931. He went to Dalian in 1950 and worked as an artist in the Dalian Art Troupe and the Liaoning Provincial Art Troupe. In 1958, he served as Director of the Fine Arts Department of the Yingkou Mass Art Museum. In 1965, he participated in the creation of prints by the Liaoning Provincial Art Association.