Deepseek Founder’s Small Village Turns Into Tourist Hotspot; Visitors Take Soil, Stones As Souvenirs

Last Updated:March 11, 2025, 21:06 IST

Liang, whose parents work as primary school teachers in the village, has brought unexpected attention to Mililing, prompting local authorities to give the hamlet a much-needed facelift.

DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng (right) was invited to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang last week. (Photo: CCTV/ South China Morning Post)

The small, unassuming village of Mililing in southern China has become an unexpected tourist hotspot, thanks to the AI success of one of its natives, Liang Wenfeng, the 40-year-old founder of DeepSeek.

Liang, whose parents work as primary school teachers in the village, has brought unexpected attention to Mililing, prompting local authorities to give the hamlet a much-needed facelift, reported South China Morning Post.

The village, with a population of around 700, primarily relies on shoe manufacturing and agriculture. Liang studied at Mililing’s primary school, later attended the well-regarded Wuchuan No 1 Middle School. He further excelled in the challenging gaokao exams and secured a place at the prestigious Zhejiang University in 2002.

News of Liang’s achievements spread, sparking a wave of curiosity that has transformed Mililing into an unlikely tourist destination. Since January, the village has seen a steady stream of visitors, from families to company employees on organised trips, eager to catch a glimpse of the AI prodigy’s roots. This interest peaked during the Spring Festival holiday period, from January 29 to February 10, when Mililing welcomed a staggering 10,000 visitors per day.

This sudden influx of tourists, however, brought to light the village’s inadequate infrastructure. To address complaints and capitalise on the newfound popularity, local authorities undertook a significant revamp. Roads were widened, sewage drains were built, and the village received a much-needed cleanup. The exterior of 29 houses were refurbished, dilapidated structures were demolished, and the addition of trees aimed to enhance the village’s overall aesthetic, the report added.

However, not all residents are happy about the village’s newfound fame. Liang’s grandfather, the sole occupant of their four-story house, now finds himself constantly bothered by tourists. He’s resorted to keeping his front door closed for a majority of the day to avoid unwanted attention. Some visitors have even taken “souvenirs," with reports of soil, stones, and even leaves disappearing from the village.

While Mililing basks in the reflected glory of Liang’s success, the situation highlights the unforeseen consequences of sudden fame on a small, unprepared village, the report added.

China

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