《大江大河》的主要背景是在1978~1992年实行改革开放的期间，讲述了以宋运辉、雷东宝和杨巡作为一批改革开放的先行者形象，在大浪潮中不断探索的故事。

宋运辉的天资就十分聪明，但是却因为自身出身不好的原因遭到了众多歧视，但成功把握住了1978年高考恢复的重要机会，抓住了这个机遇不断的学习，最终成为了国企一名技术人员，也凭借自身的努力一步一步向上晋升，奠定了自身成功的重要基础。在新时代改革的浪潮中却逐渐迷失了自身。

作为姐夫的雷东宝与宋运辉不同出身，虽然贫寒，但是确是行动力极为充足的“大老粗”，在改革浪踏潮的实行中，带领着村民跟随着政策走在时代的最前列，但因为自身文化水平方面不高，眼光不够长远，没能成功。

而作为个体户的杨学，在这时代的过程中也曾经抓住过商机，也采过陷阱，几经波折后终于拥有自身的产业。

The main background of "Dajiang Dahe" is during the period of reform and opening up from 1978 to 1992. It tells the story of Song Yunhui, Lei Dongbao and Yang Xun, as a group of pioneers of reform and opening up, are constantly exploring the story in the big wave.

Song Yunhui's talent is very smart, but because of his bad background He suffered a lot of discrimination, but he successfully grasped the important opportunity of the resumption of the college entrance examination in 1978, seized this opportunity and continued to study, and finally became a technician in a state-owned enterprise. important basis. In the tide of reform in the new era, he gradually lost himself.

As a brother-in-law, Lei Dongbao and Song Yunhui have different backgrounds. He is a "big boss" with sufficient action. In the implementation of the reform wave, he led the villagers to follow the policy and be at the forefront of the times. However, because of his low level of education and lack of long-term vision, he failed to succeed.

As a self-employed man, Yang Xue has also grasped I have lived in business opportunities and taken traps, and after several twists and turns, I finally have my own industry.