Milling Village Miracle: How DeepSeek Founder Liang Wenfeng Unknowingly Turned Chinese Village Into Tourist Hotspot Overnight- wna24

Beijing: Tucked away in southern China, this is the story of a remarkable quick transformation of the small rural village of Milling in recent months, and the reason is a surprising twist. Once a quiet, tight-knit community, Milling Village has suddenly become a thriving tourist destination, attracting visitors from far and wide. Surprisingly, the village’s claim to fame lies in being the hometown of DeepSeek’s founder, Liang Wenfeng, whose rags-to-riches story has inspired locals and captivated tourists.

Notably, the 40-year-old tech entrepreneur, Liang Wenfeng, was born and raised in Milling Village, where his parents were teachers at the local primary school. During his school days, his academic excellence earned him a spot at the prestigious Zhejiang University in 2002. His impressive performance in the highly competitive Gaokao University entrance examination ensured his entry into the university. 

Liang, after completing his education, went on to found DeepSeek, a cutting-edge AI company that has rivalled established American competitors. Liang’s DeepSeek remained in headlines across the globe in the recent past after it emerged as one of the toughest global competitors in the cutting-edge technology. As DeepSeek continues to gain popularity world over, Liang’s remarkable journey has gained international attention, leading his hometown to become a popular tourist destination.

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Milling Village, which has a population of over 700 residents, is a tight-knit community where younger generations typically work in nearby shoe factories, while older residents engage in agriculture. However, after Liang Wenfeng founded DeepSeek, the village has reportedly undergone a remarkable transformation. 

Prior to this, the village lacked industrial development, with its sole source of income being the leasing of fish ponds for 10,000 yuan (US$1,400) per year. The village has since become a popular tourist destination, attracting groups of travellers, including families and company employees. During the Spring Festival holiday, the village received an astonishing 10,000 tourists daily.

As per reports, while the influx of tourists has brought big economic benefits to the village, it has also posed challenges for the residents. The village’s infrastructure was initially ill-equipped to handle the demand, prompting a revamp project to commence in mid-February. Although the funding source remains undisclosed, the renovations have brought major improvements to the village. However, amidst the excitement, Liang Wenfeng’s grandfather has been forced to keep his front door closed for most of the day, fearing harassment from the constant stream of tourists visiting their four-storey family home.

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As the village continues to undergo a massive transformation, the villagers have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Liang Wenfeng, crediting him for bringing transformative changes to their lives. Inspired by his remarkable success, the residents have also established a fund to support high-achieving students. As the village continues to attract tourists, the residents are determined to preserve their cultural heritage and traditional way of life.

The experts believe that the story of Milling Village shows the power of entrepreneurship and innovation. Liang Wenfeng’s remarkable journey from humble beginnings to founding a cutting-edge AI company has inspired a nation. However, the experts have also stated that as the village continues to thrive, it is essential to strike a balance between economic development and preserving cultural heritage.