Tang River Baths is a tragic love story that takes place during the turbulent times of the Cultural Revolution in China (1966-1976). The artist Yezi never knew her mother Xiaohe as she lost her at a young age and was raised single handedly by her father. She discovers her mother's diary as she went through her father possessions after his death, and decides to investigate the circumstances of her mother's death. She travels to the remote village where her mother had heeded the call of the Cultural Revolution, and meets a helpful local who helps her understand how her mother had died and discover the truth about herself.