HONG KONG — A working flower farm tucked away in the remote village of San Tin has emerged as one of the New Territories’ most beloved seasonal destinations, drawing thousands of visitors each summer to witness fields planted with 100,000 sunflower seeds imported from the Netherlands.
Shun Sum Yuen Farm, covering roughly 35,000 square feet in the Yuen Long district, is owned by Leung Yat-shun. The farm’s name carries personal meaning: “Shun” comes from his given name, while “Sum” derives from the Cantonese word for pistil — reflecting the owner’s deeply held conviction that every flower contains a pistil at its heart.
The farm rotates its crops seasonally, but the summer sunflower spectacle has become its signature draw. Beyond the main yellow blooms, the property features water lilies, lotus ponds, gladiolus, and winter lilies. Edible crops including corn and pumpkin grow alongside the flowers, tended largely by a devoted team of mid-aged farm women who take considerable pride in the blooms they nurture.
Three Distinct Varieties Shape the Sunflower Display
While a sweeping sea of yellow sunflowers forms the heart of the attraction, visitors who look more closely will find surprising variation across the fields.
Yellow sunflowers dominate the landscape with their classic, bold appearance. However, the farm notes these flowers tend to grow shorter than their European counterparts, so visitors should not expect to stand above them.
Champagne-coloured sunflowers offer a subtler alternative. These grow taller, bloom generously, and carry petals in a far softer, more delicate hue that provides an elegant contrast to the vivid yellow expanse around them.
Red sunflowers are exceedingly rare, with past seasons yielding only a single plant among hundreds of thousands. Staff sometimes point it out to observant visitors. The red variety displays an unusual botanical characteristic: unlike other sunflowers, it does not track the sun across the sky, meaning it may face a different direction from all surrounding blooms. Its buds also tend to remain smaller and not fully open.
Timing and Access Require Advance Planning
The sunflower season runs from late spring through summer, typically May through August or September. The farm advises that peak blooming occurs in June and July, with seeds planted by September generally growing well but later sowings struggling.
Visiting in late May may yield some flowers already past their prime, making June or July the optimal window for fullest fields. Water lilies and lotus typically peak a few weeks after sunflowers begin, so late June or July visits offer the best chance to appreciate both displays simultaneously.
Early morning visits are strongly recommended. Crowds can make photography challenging, and summer heat in the New Territories is significant — midday conditions can be genuinely uncomfortable.
Transportation: The farm strongly discourages driving. There is no legal parking in the village, and local residents are not enthusiastic about visitor traffic. Public transport via MTR to Yuen Long station, then Bus 76K to the Shek Wu Wai stop, followed by an eight-minute walk, is the preferred option.
Admission costs HK$50 per person. Sunflowers can be viewed from outside the fence for free, but entering the fields requires payment.
Strict Rules Protect Fragile Blooms
Farm staff enforce rules firmly because flowers that open in the morning can wilt by evening if handled carelessly. Visitors must not touch the flowers, must carry backpacks in front rather than on their backs while walking through fields, and should heed staff instructions immediately.
The farm sits within a working village whose residents did not choose to become a tourist attraction. Visitors are expected to keep noise reasonable, avoid blocking village lanes, and never park without permission. The farm’s continued operation depends partly on maintaining positive relations with the surrounding community.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Bring cash for entrance fees and refreshments
- Wear light, breathable clothing and sun protection
- Bring or purchase mosquito repellent on-site
- Use public transport; parking is effectively unavailable
- Check farm social media before visiting to confirm which fields are in bloom
- Visit on a weekday morning for smaller crowds and better light
- Do not touch the flowers under any circumstances
- Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes for unpaved paths
The farm’s popularity reflects a broader trend across Hong Kong, where urban residents increasingly seek natural escapes from the city’s density. For now, Shun Sum Yuen Farm offers one of the territory’s most accessible and visually striking seasonal experiences — provided visitors arrive prepared, respectful, and early.