Rhoads, a prominent figure in the global plein-air painting movement, spent over a month traversing the country, from the high-altitude plateaus of Kunming to the bustling streets of Shanghai. His itinerary, which included Beijing and Chengdu, allowed for an immersive experience far removed from the headlines he encountered in the United States. Rather than finding the backward conditions he anticipated, he documented an environment defined by efficient infrastructure, sprawling urban centers, and diverse natural beauty.

Beyond the architecture and scenery, Rhoads highlighted the genuine hospitality of the local population as a transformative element of his trip. His observations, later detailed in his essays The Colors We Choose to See and What China Taught Me, serve as a personal critique of how Western narratives often distort reality. By documenting his journey through paint and prose, Rhoads encourages a more skeptical view of received wisdom, urging others to replace hearsay with firsthand observation when engaging with the wider world.