The remote hamlet of Mililing has undergone a dramatic transformation as tourists flock to the birthplace of DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng.Â
Once an obscure village in southern China, Mililing now welcomes thousands of visitors daily, drawn by the remarkable success story of its most famous son.
Liang, 40, whose AI company DeepSeek has catapulted him to global recognition, spent his childhood in this modest community where his parents worked as primary school teachers.
The contrast between the village’s humble setting and Liang’s technological achievements has captured the public imagination, turning Milling into an unexpected tourist attraction.
According to the village committee director Liang Wenfen, Mililing’s approximately 700 residents have traditionally made their living through shoe manufacturing and agriculture. The younger generation typically works in shoe production facilities, while the elderly focus on farming activities.
Liang’s educational journey began in Mililing before he advanced to the prestigious Wuchuan No. 1 Middle School. His academic prowess became evident when he secured admission to the renowned Zhejiang University in 2002, having excelled in China’s notoriously competitive Gaokao University entrance examination.
Tourism Surge Prompts Village Makeover
The influx of visitors has prompted significant infrastructure improvements. During the Spring Festival holiday from January 29 to February 10, the village reportedly hosted an astonishing 10,000 tourists daily.Â
Visitors include families with children and corporate groups in company uniforms, all eager to witness the birthplace of China’s emerging tech luminary.
Responding to complaints about poor infrastructure, local authorities launched a comprehensive renovation project. Twenty-nine houses received fresh paint and exterior repairs, while dilapidated structures were demolished.Â
The village overhaul included widened roads, new sewage systems, thorough street cleaning, and tree planting initiatives, creating a more welcoming environment for the steady stream of tourists.
Mixed Blessing for Residents
Not all villagers have embraced their newfound fame. Liang’s grandfather, who lives alone in the family’s four-story house, reportedly keeps his door closed throughout much of the day, concerned about harassment from curious visitors.
The tourism boom has also led to unusual souvenir-hunting behavior. According to a local identified only as Yuan, “Some visitors took away a pile of soil, some stones or pieces of leaves,” treating even the most mundane objects from Mililing as meaningful keepsakes.
From Obscurity to Spotlight
The transformation of Mililing represents a striking example of how technological success can reshape not only an individual’s life but an entire community. What was once a quiet, unremarkable village now finds itself on the map of China’s innovation landscape, with its identity increasingly tied to its famous son’s achievements.
Local businesses have likely benefited from the tourism surge, though the report doesn’t specify if new shops or services have emerged to cater to visitors. The economic impact of this sudden fame could potentially provide new opportunities for villagers beyond traditional shoe manufacturing and agricultural work.
Symbol of Possibility
This rural community’s transformation highlights the profound impact of Liang’s success and the public’s fascination with the backgrounds of technology innovators. As DeepSeek continues to advance in the competitive AI universe, its modest origins provide a compelling story of triumph over adversity.
The Mililing phenomenon also points to China’s growing strength in technological innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence, as the nation increasingly produces entrepreneurs and companies capable of competing on a global scale.
The difference between the simple village life and the advanced technology DeepSeek represents China’s rapid modernization and technological drive.
For Liang Wenfeng himself, the promotion of his home town might be a double-edged sword, reminding him of his own journey. Although success has brought fame and potential, it has also irreparably altered the simple village where he was born. While Milling welcomes visitors, the village remains a testament to how far Liang has come and a living museum of his past.
