Travel to Lijiang and learn about life in China of the 1990s. At first, this small town may seem strange to you and its residents very different, but you'll quickly discover that people in Lijiang care about the same kinds of things as you. Watch the drama of the Lu family as they live and work. Follow Mr. Mu as he deals with the aftermath of his nephew's murder, and observe the official inquiry into the young teenager's death. See Dr. Tang use acupuncture to treat Little Swallow, a young girl with cerebral palsy. China: Beyond the Clouds is an intense journey into the dreams, anxieties, and joys of ordinary people living in an extraordinary time.