A 35,000-square-foot family farm in Yuen Long draws thousands each summer with imported Dutch sunflowers, including a one-of-a-kind red variety that defies botany.
Deep in the village of San Tin, in Hong Kong’s New Territories, a working flower farm named Shun Sum Yuen has become an unlikely seasonal destination. Owner Leung Yat-shun, whose name inspired the farm’s title—with “Shun” taken from his given name and “Sum” representing the Cantonese word for pistil—imported 100,000 sunflower seeds from the Netherlands to transform his fields into a golden spectacle that runs from late spring through early autumn.
The Farm
Shun Sum Yuen operates as both a flower farm and a community landmark. Beyond its famous sunflowers, the property features water lilies, lotus ponds, gladiolus, and winter lilies. Edible crops including corn and pumpkin grow alongside the blooms, tended primarily by a dedicated team of mid-aged women from the surrounding village who take pride in nurturing each plant through the seasons.
The Sunflowers
The farm’s main draw is its sea of yellow blooms, but three distinct varieties reward visitors who look closer.
Yellow sunflowers dominate the display with classic, bold petals. Staff caution that these flowers grow shorter than European sunflower fields, so visitors should adjust expectations.
Champagne-coloured sunflowers stand taller and bloom generously. Their soft, delicate petals offer an elegant counterpoint to the vivid yellow fields.
Red sunflowers remain exceedingly rare—in past seasons, only a single plant has appeared among hundreds of thousands. This unusual variety does not track the sun across the sky, meaning it may face a different direction than all surrounding flowers. It also produces smaller buds that never fully open, making it botanically distinct.
The farm rotates its fields in sections, so different areas reach peak bloom at different times across the season. Visitors should check the farm’s latest announcements before traveling.
Visiting Tips
The sunflower season runs approximately May through August or September. Peak blooming typically occurs in June and July, when the fullest fields are on display. Late June or July offers the best chance to see both sunflowers and the water lilies and lotus that peak a few weeks later.
Early morning visits are strongly recommended. Crowds build quickly, making photography challenging, and the New Territories’ summer heat can become genuinely uncomfortable by midday.
Getting There
Public transport is the preferred option. Visitors can take the MTR to Yuen Long station, exit G2, then board Bus 76K for 14 stops to Shek Wu Wai, followed by an eight-minute walk.
Driving is discouraged. No legal parking exists in the village, and residents have expressed frustration with farm visitors. The nearest official parking near San Tin Post Office requires an additional walk.
Practical Information
Admission costs HK$50 per person, payable at the entrance where staff explain the rules. Viewing from outside the fence is free. Inside, a shaded rest area sells cold drinks, snacks, and souvenirs including sunflower seed packets. Mosquito repellent is available on-site. Basic toilets exist, but pathways remain partly unpaved and unsuitable for pushchairs.
Rules and Etiquette
Farm staff enforce rules firmly because flowers are fragile—a bloom opening in the morning can wilt by evening if handled carelessly. Visitors must not touch the flowers, carry backpacks in front rather than on their backs, and follow staff instructions promptly.
The farm sits within a working village where residents did not choose to become a tourist attraction. Visitors should keep noise reasonable, avoid blocking lanes, and never park without permission. The farm’s continued operation depends on maintaining goodwill with the surrounding community.
Photography Tips
Weekday mornings offer the best opportunity for quieter shots. Clear, sunny days produce striking images, but midday light is harsh—soft morning or late-afternoon light flatters both flowers and faces. A wide-brimmed hat provides shade and serves as a photogenic prop. Beyond the main yellow fields, the champagne-coloured sunflowers, lotus pond, and water lilies offer photographic variety.
Broader Impact
Shun Sum Yuen represents a growing trend of agricultural tourism in Hong Kong’s rural areas, where small farms open their gates to urban visitors seeking nature escapes. The farm’s popularity underscores the delicate balance between welcoming tourists and preserving the working character of village life—a challenge that will shape the future of such destinations across the region.