Art critics say Yang's landscapes are characterized by their diversity of themes and techniques. His distinctive technique, embracing both Chinese and Western styles, has gradually emerged as something unique, with his graceful and rhythmical brushstrokes adding much to his kindred skills in calligraphy.

In China, calligraphy is honored for the skill with which the brush is used and the knowledge of rules and techniques demonstrated by those adept at it. As such, it is unique to China and the small number of countries influenced by ancient Chinese culture.

Yang's works in this area has been shown in all of the Chinese National Art Exhibitions in China since the 1970s.

Yang has also had solo exhibitions staged in the China Art Gallery and other overseas countries and regions, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland and Hong Kong special administrative region.

Thanks to the unique quality of his works, Yang received a gold medal at the fifth Manciano International Art Exhibition in Italy in 1983. He has also been awarded many other honors and citations from art institutes across the world.

Yang's publications include "Lotus out of Clean Water" and the "Selected Works of Yang Yanwen".