About the Farm

Shun Sum Yuen Farm is a working flower farm tucked away in the village of San Tin, in the Yuen Long district of Hong Kong’s New Territories. The farm covers roughly 35,000 square feet and is owned by Leung Yat-shun, whose name is embedded in the farm’s title — “Shun” from his given name, and “Sum” from the Cantonese word for pistil, reflecting his belief that every flower holds one at its heart.

The farm grows different flowers according to the season, but it is the summer sunflower display that has made it famous. The owner imported 100,000 sunflower seeds from the Netherlands to fill his fields, resulting in one of Hong Kong’s most beloved seasonal spectacles. Beyond sunflowers, the farm also features water lilies, lotus ponds, gladiolus, and in winter, lilies. Edible crops such as corn and pumpkin grow alongside the flowers, tended largely by a devoted team of mid-aged farm women who take enormous pride in the blooms.

The Sunflowers

The main attraction is the sea of yellow sunflowers, but the fields hold more variety than first meets the eye. There are three distinct types on display:

Yellow sunflowers are the most abundant and form the heart of the display. They are the classic, bold blooms most visitors come for. Bear in mind that the flowers tend to be on the shorter side compared to European sunflower fields, so don’t expect to be towering over them.

Champagne-coloured sunflowers are a highlight worth seeking out. They grow tall, bloom generously, and carry petals of a far softer, more delicate hue than the vivid yellow variety — an elegant contrast to the rest of the field.

Red sunflowers are exceedingly rare. In past seasons there has been just one solitary red sunflower among the hundreds of thousands of plants. If staff point it out to you, take a moment to appreciate it — the red variety has the unusual characteristic of not tracking the sun across the sky, meaning it may face a different direction from all the flowers around it. It also tends to carry smaller buds that don’t fully open, making it botanically distinct as well as visually striking.

The fields are opened in rotation, so different sections bloom at different times across the season. Check the farm’s latest announcements before you visit to find out which section is currently at its peak.

When to Visit

The sunflower season runs from late spring through summer, roughly May to August or September, with the peak blooming period typically falling in June and July. The farm advises that seeds sown up until September will grow well, but later plantings tend to struggle.

Going at the end of May means you may catch some flowers already past their best, so aim for June or July if you want the fullest fields. Water lilies and lotus generally reach their peak a few weeks after the sunflowers begin, so visiting in late June or July gives you the best chance of seeing both.

Come as early in the day as possible. The farm gets busy, crowds can make photography tricky, and the summer heat in the New Territories is significant. Midday visits can be genuinely uncomfortable.

Getting There

By public transport (strongly recommended): Take the MTR to Yuen Long station, exit G2, and board Bus 76K. Ride it for 14 stops and alight at the Shek Wu Wai bus stop. From there it is roughly an eight-minute walk to the farm.

By car: Driving is strongly discouraged. There is no legal parking in the village, and the local residents are not enthusiastic about the farm’s visitors. The nearest official parking is near the San Tin Post Office, which adds a walk to your journey. If you do drive, leave your phone number visible in the car, as is customary in the area.

Entrance and On-Site Facilities

Admission is HK$50 per person, payable at the entrance where staff will also brief you on the rules. You can view the sunflowers from outside the fence for free, but entering the fields requires the fee.

Inside, a central rest area offers shade — a genuine necessity in the summer heat. Staff sell cold soft drinks and snacks there, and souvenirs including packets of sunflower seeds are available for purchase. Mosquito repellent spray is also sold on-site, which is worth picking up if you haven’t brought your own. Toilets are available but are basic.

The pathways through the farm are partly unpaved and not well suited to pushchairs or prams.

Rules and Etiquette

The farm staff enforce the rules firmly and for good reason: the flowers are fragile, and a bloom that opens in the morning can wilt by the same evening if handled carelessly. Do not touch the flowers. Do not wear your backpack while walking through the fields — carry it in front of you or leave it at the rest area. Listen to staff if they call out instructions; they are protecting the very thing you came to see.

The farm sits within a working village whose residents did not choose to become a tourist attraction. Please be respectful: keep noise to a reasonable level, do not block village lanes, and do not park without permission. The farm’s continued welcome depends in part on not alienating the surrounding community.

Photography Tips

The farm is undoubtedly a photographer’s destination, but a few things are worth knowing before you arrive. Crowds are unavoidable at peak times, so early morning visits on weekdays offer the best chance of quieter shots. A clear, sunny day with blue sky above the yellow fields produces striking images, but the light is harsh at midday — the soft light of morning or late afternoon is kinder to flowers and faces alike. A wide-brimmed hat doubles as both shade and a photogenic prop.

The champagne-coloured sunflowers, the lotus pond, and the water lilies all offer variety beyond the main yellow fields. Explore the whole farm rather than heading straight for the most crowded spot.

Practical Tips Summary

• Bring cash for the entrance fee and refreshments.
• Wear light, breathable clothing and sun protection — it will be hot.
• Bring or buy mosquito repellent on-site.
• Take public transport; parking is effectively unavailable.
• Check the farm’s social media or local listings before going 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.
• Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are advisable on the unpaved paths.