For several years, Steve Zhao has been documenting the rich beauty of China through a camera lens. His photos are featured at a new exhibit in Washington D.C. It’s an attempt at dispelling misconceptions about China by sharing the everyday lives of its people.

Now, Americans have the chance to see a close-up view of that dream realized. 30 years ago, Zhao educated as a physicist and decided to leave china and move to New York City. He had little money but a lot of determination to become a photographer.

He has come a long way since then. He’s published more than 25 photography books, six featuring the city of Suzhou, his mother’s hometown.

The images of Suzhou are part of his exhibit in D.C. It’s a way of giving the west a clearer lens on china and the Chinese.

Zhao has plans for future photo projects in Europe. Different subjects and places but essentially the same message.