In the "very sweet family drama" (New York Times) The Nightingale, Zhigen (Bao Tian Li) honors the request of his late wife by going back to his home town to free his bird, his sole companion in his senior years. He expected to go on this journey alone but he has been entrusted with Renxing (Xin Yi Yang), his granddaughter, a young spoiled city girl from Beijing, while her parents are out of town. This constraint becomes a welcome diversion on his mission. During this journey at the edge of traditional China, in all its magnificent natural landscapes, these two individuals will discover one another and share experiences and adventures. The little girl will discover new values, particularly the ones of the heart, and the importance of family and tradition.