A working flower farm in Hong Kong’s rural New Territories has become one of the city’s most anticipated seasonal destinations, drawing thousands of visitors to its sunflower fields between late spring and early autumn. Shun Sum Yuen Farm, a 35,000-square-foot property in the village of San Tin in Yuen Long, operates as both a commercial operation and an informal public attraction.
The farm is owned by Leung Yat-shun, whose name is woven into the property’s identity. “Shun” comes from his given name, while “Sum” is derived from the Cantonese word for pistil — a reflection of his belief that every flower holds one at its core.
Leung imported 100,000 sunflower seeds from the Netherlands to create the summer display that has put the farm on the map. The fields now host three distinct varieties, each with its own character: bold yellow sunflowers that form the bulk of the spectacle; champagne-colored blooms with softer, more delicate petals; and a solitary red sunflower that staff say is exceedingly rare.
Botanists note that the red variety exhibits an unusual trait — it does not track the sun across the sky, often facing a different direction from surrounding flowers. Its buds also tend to remain smaller and do not fully open, making it both visually and botanically distinct.
A Field of Three Sunflower Varieties
The yellow sunflowers are the most abundant and the primary draw for visitors, though the farm advises that these plants tend to grow shorter than their European counterparts. The champagne-colored sunflowers grow taller and bloom generously, offering an elegant contrast. The single red sunflower, if it blooms in a given season, becomes a point of interest that staff often point out to guests.
Beyond sunflowers, the farm features water lilies, lotus ponds, gladiolus, and winter lilies, along with edible crops such as corn and pumpkin. A dedicated team of mid-aged local women tends the fields, expressing visible pride in the blooms they cultivate.
Visitor Essentials for a Hot Summer Day
The sunflower season runs from May through August or September, with peak bloom typically in June and July. The farm rotates its fields to extend the display, so visitors are urged to check official announcements before traveling. Water lilies and lotus reach their peak a few weeks after the sunflowers, making late June or July the best time to see both.
Admission costs HK$50 per person. Entry is paid at the gate, where staff brief visitors on site rules. Guests can view the flowers from outside the fence for free, but entering the fields requires the fee.
A central rest area provides shade, a necessity in Hong Kong’s summer heat. Cold drinks, snacks, sunflower seed packets, and mosquito repellent are sold on-site. Toilets are available but basic. Pathways are partly unpaved and not suitable for strollers or prams.
Getting There and Parking Challenges
Public transport is strongly recommended. Visitors can take the MTR to Yuen Long station, exit via G2, and board Bus 76K for 14 stops to the Shek Wu Wai stop, followed by an eight-minute walk. Driving is discouraged due to a lack of legal parking in the village. The nearest official parking near San Tin Post Office requires a walk, and local residents have expressed frustration with farm-related traffic.
Rules Reflect Fragile Blooms and Local Tensions
Farm staff enforce rules firmly for good reason. A sunflower that opens in the morning can wilt by evening if handled. Visitors are instructed not to touch the flowers, to carry backpacks in front of them rather than on their backs while walking through fields, and to listen to staff directions.
The farm sits within a working village, and residents did not choose to become a tourist attraction. Visitors are asked to keep noise reasonable, avoid blocking village lanes, and refrain from unauthorized parking. The farm’s continued operation as a public destination depends partly on maintaining goodwill with the surrounding community.
For photographers, early morning visits on weekdays offer the best light and smallest crowds. A wide-brimmed hat provides both sun protection and a photogenic accessory, while the champagne sunflowers, lotus pond, and water lilies offer variety beyond the main yellow fields.
As Hong Kong’s urban sprawl continues to encroach on agricultural land, Shun Sum Yuen Farm represents a rare intersection of working horticulture and public engagement. Its success may offer a model for other small farms balancing commercial viability with community access in one of the world’s densest cities.