They witnessed the rise and fall of an empire, they survived the ravages of war and they’ve stood tall as a colony gained independence and emerged on the world stage. And now, some of Singapore’s oldest residents – rain trees, saga trees and angsana trees – will be recognized as part of a National Parks Board heritage trail. The Civic District Tree Trail will open to the public on May 1, but you don’t have to wait until then to pay a visit. Here’s where you can find the prominent trees on the trail.

1. Connaught Drive 

 

A photo posted by Misha Wilkinson (@mishasvineyard) on

Mar 17, 2016 at 5:58pm PDT

Connaught Drive is where you’ll find the Avenue of Heritage Trees. The Avenue is made up of 22 rain trees, some dating back to the 1880s.

2. Esplanade Park

Five angsana trees once grew in the area, giving it the nickname “gor zhang chiu kar” (“under the five trees” in Hokkien). While the original trees had to be cut down due to a disease outbreak in the 1990s, new disease-resistant angsanas were transplanted here in 2015.

3. National Gallery Singapore

 

A photo posted by @7ajaib on

Mar 27, 2016 at 10:38am PDT

Royal palms welcome visitors in front of the former City Hall.

4. St Andrew’s Cathedral 

 

A photo posted by @pearwa_mutchima on

Mar 27, 2016 at 3:43am PDT

A rare sight in Singapore these days, saga trees and their unique red seeds can be found at St Andrew’s Cathedral.

5. Raffles Hotel

There are few symbols of Singapore more iconic than the traveller’s palms outside the Raffles.

6. CHIJMES 

 

A photo posted by @pfong on

Mar 26, 2016 at 10:48pm PDT

The popular lifestyle venue is home to five species of heritage trees – Flame of the Forest, tamalan (or black rosewood), common red-stem fig, frangipani and Diospyros buxifolia (from the same family as ebony and persimmon)

7. National Museum of Singapore 

 

A photo posted by Hedi Herdian (@hediherdian) on

Mar 21, 2016 at 6:29pm PDT

A majestic Indian rubber tree has stood guard at the museum since 1955.

8. School of the Arts

 

A photo posted by aya amurao (@aeyasthetic) on

Mar 22, 2016 at 8:18am PDT

It was under a Bodhi or sacred fig tree that Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment. An example of the tree stands at SOTA.

National Parks Board

The Civic District Tree Trail opens to the public on May 1. It takes two hours to complete. Free tours will be available every month from May. For more information, head to the National Parks Board website.