Up the Yangtze River from Shanghai, the ancient city of Nanjing is the southern capital and an up-and-coming hot spot that travellers are gravitating towards. The city's complex history is alive here, where the preserved city wall of the Ming Empire remains. In addition to the rich heritage, opportunities for outdoor musings are bountiful. Take a jaunt around Xuanwu Lake or tour Purple Mountain, which is home to many cultural artifacts.