Slow drives down S'pore's Heritage Roads will transport you back to a time before independence

Pieces of Singapore's identity and history.

Ashley Tan | July 27, 2020, 10:14 PM

If you haven't been keen on braving the heat or rain at Singapore's various parks and nature reserves, but still want to get a dose of nature, why not try taking a slow drive down the country's Heritage Roads?

What are Heritage Roads?

Singapore has five Heritage Roads lined with mature trees, as the National Parks (NParks) shared in a recent Facebook post.

These long stretches of road are so named as some of the trees there are at least 40 years old, having been cared for by dedicated arborists in the past decades.

Launched in 2001, it is part of NParks' Heritage Road Scheme to conserve these 'green tunnels' amidst the country's rapid development.

The five Heritage Roads are gazetted, and a green buffer of 10m on both side of each road is enforced, where the removal of trees and plants are prohibited.

"These Heritage Roads add an element of permanence to Singapore’s landscape, as we continue to conserve our natural heritage against the impact of urbanisation in our #CityInNature," NParks stated.

Scenic drives through 'green tunnels'

The particularly scenic roads offer great views, and provide an escape from the crowds at green spaces, beaches, and urban areas like shopping malls.

1. Arcadia Road

Photo from NParks / FB

Arcadia Road is lined with mature Rain Trees. Nearby is the Adam Park Estate, a cluster of colonial houses and a mark of Singapore's history.

2. Mount Pleasant Road

Photo from NParks / FB

Mount Pleasant Road is flanked by mature Saga trees. The colonial bungalows in this area used to house families of the police force prior to World War II.

Outside one of the bungalows is a huge Burmese Banyan tree as well.

The tree has been gazetted as a Heritage Tree, large mature trees which have special conservation status as they possess social, historical, cultural or aesthetic value.

Photo from NParks / YouTube

3. Mandai Road

Photo from NParks / FB

Mandai Road was constructed in 1855, serving as the one of the main links between Woodlands and Upper Thomson.

It also connected poultry and agriculture farming villages in the past such as Bukit Mandai, Sungei Mandai and Nee Soon Village.

4. South Buona Vista Road

Photo from NParks / FB

Alongside South Buona Vista Road, you can find trees like Silver Backs, Acacia, Tembusu and Tiup Tiup, Pelong trees, Kelat Nenasi, Salam and Yellow Flame trees.

The name "Buona Vista" actually means "good sight" in Italian, referring to splendid sea views visible from the high slopes in the past.

The road, with its hairpin curves, was also used as part of racing circuits for motorcars and bicycles from the 1950s to 1980s.

It was also this very location on the ridge that the famous battle of Pasir Panjang in 1942 took place between the Japanese forces and the Malay Regiment led by Lieutenant Adnan.

5. Lim Chu Kang Road

Photo from NParks / FB

Lined with Angsana, Broad Leaf Mahogany and Rubber trees, this road was built before the 1900s to connect the various gambier, pepper and rubber plantations around countryside.

According to NParks, "the old attap and zinc-roofed homes that were scattered along this beautiful road were sheltered by the same mature trees that are still standing today."

Top photo from NParks / FB