Widowed Eurasian physician Han Suyin falls in love with married but estranged American correspondent Mark Elliott in Hong Kong during the Chinese Civil War in the late 1940s. Although they briefly find happiness together, she is ostracized by the larger Chinese community. After losing their place in the hospital, Suyin and her adopted daughter go to live with a friend while Mark is on assignment during the Korean War. They write to each other all the time. She receives word that Mark has been killed and goes to visit their favorite meeting place at the top of the hill.