This article was written by Jennifer Dawson.

Of all the countries expats can choose to live in, Malaysia is without a doubt one of the most beautiful and exciting. Apart from offering the approximately 200,000 expats living here some of the best shopping and dining experiences in Asia, the country also boasts a very diverse natural terrain full of towering mountains, deep valleys, lush green forests, and pristine beaches that just beg to be explored. If you are looking for an exhilarating outdoors escape, you will not be disappointed as Malaysia offers a wide range of activities such as hiking, snorkeling, and caving, that will appeal to expats of all ages and fitness levels.

Take a hike or climb a mountain

Hiking is very popular in Malaysia, which is not surprising considering the agreeable climate and spectacular natural scenery. While most of the hiking trails are considered to be tough, they are not impossible to navigate. As long as you are fit and in good health, have a keen sense for adventure, and in possession of basic gear such as a backpack and comfortable shoes, you should be able to navigate your way along a number of trails such. Such as the Pine Tree Trail that runs up and down towards the summit of Pine Tree Hill and Rhodo Hill, the Monkey Beach trails, and the ever-popular Cameron Highlands Trails with their huge tea plantations and numerous jungle-covered hills and mountains.

Explore the majestic underwater landscapes

Most of Malaysia’s 878 islands offer superb snorkeling conditions and are suitable for both novice and experienced divers. The coral reefs that surround the islands are home to an abundance of marine life including sharks, turtles, brightly-colored anemones, fish, and eels. There are numerous companies that offer snorkeling trips to sought-after snorkeling destinations such as the coastline of Terengganu, the Langkawi Pulau Payar Marine Park, Perhentian Island, and Tenggol Island.

Go caving

If you don’t suffer from claustrophobia and don’t have a fear for insects either, you may find great pleasure in exploring some of the magnificent caves in Malaysia. Your fitness level will be the biggest determinant in your choice of cave to explore. While some caves are situated near a road, others require you to trek for some distance before reaching their entrances. Caving can be undertaken at any time of the year, weather permitting of course, and the utmost of care must always be taken to ensure that all adventurers remain safe. Some of the most popular caves to explore include the Batu Caves, the Gua Tempurung Cave, and the beautiful Clearwater Cave that is believed to be the biggest interconnected system of caves in the world.

The next time you are looking for something to do, head outdoors in search of adventure instead of spending your day at the mall or cinema. Malaysia has so much natural beauty on display and the only way to really appreciate it is to break out of your comfort zone and engage in a range of exhilarating, outdoor activities that will leave you feeling refreshed, revived and closer to Mother Nature than you have ever been.