In 1992, Tiong Tian Tong pursued an advanced degree in oil painting at the renowned China Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, funded with a scholarship by the National Arts Council. Prior to this, he travelled to Europe in 1980s, where he would observe world masterpieces in person and immerse himself in the study of art.

Tiong has held more than 10 solo shows, including a sketching exhibition at the Alliance Française Singapore (1985) and his 12th solo exhibition at The Arts House, Singapore (2019). Tiong exhibited in numerous group shows across Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, including the National Museum
Centenary Art Exhibition, Singapore (1987); the 5th ASEAN Youth Painting Exhibition, the National Museum Art Gallery (1987); The President's Charity Art Exhibition, Singapore (1996); Grand Festival of Asia Watercolour Painting Exhibition, Korea (2002); 18th Asia Watercolor Painting Alliance, Taiwan (2006); 19th Asia Watercolor Painting Alliance Exhibition, Osaka, Japan (2007); and The Asia Japan Art Biennale 2021, The Arts House, Singapore (2021).

Tiong’s works can be found in the collections of the Singapore Art Museum; National Museum of Singapore; National Arts Council; Singapore Telecoms (Singtel); the Istana collection; Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore ; and other government ministries and institutions. In 2019, Tiong’s work was auctioned at Bonhams, UK. He was featured in the "Singapore Fine Art Index 98" (1998) published by the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and "Singapore Art Today: Nokia Singapore
Art 1999" (1999) by the National Art Council Singapore.