--- title: Celaleddin Wang-Zin-Shan slug: celaleddin-wang-zin-shan-b0ff0 url: /detay/celaleddin-wang-zin-shan-b0ff0 type: biography language: English entity: primary: Celaleddin Wang-Zin-Shan type: biography categories: - name: General Knowledge slug: genel-kultur url: /kategori/genel-kultur tags: - Sinology - CinDiasporasi - AkademikGoc - AkademikMiras - CinceEgitimi - CinliMuslumanlar - SicuanMutfagi - TurkCinIliskileri - KulturelDiplomasi - KulturelCesitlilik - GastronomiTarihi - KulturelDiyalog - IslamArastirmalari - GocTarihi - AkademikArastirma - Philology - history of education - Bilimselaraştırma - Çeviribilim - ÇinTarihi - Linguistics - İstanbulÜniversitesi - İlkÇinLokantası - CelaleddinWang-Zin-Shan - Darülfünun - Diaspora - China author: Nurten Yalçın created_at: 2026-06-16T16:07:51.849888+03:00 updated_at: 2026-06-16T16:07:51.849888+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2024/11/19/8e2yAf43RWgOAb1SAfcU90BimI3UrwKr.jpeg --- # Celaleddin Wang-Zin-Shan > Celaleddin Wang (1903-1961) was a Chinese academician. He taught Chinese at Istanbul University and pioneered culinary culture by opening the city's first Chinese restaurant in 1957. ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Celaleddin Wang-Zin-Shan ![](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/06/13/Nnb6EcrioozYgpp1sv9NuKmdhs1IaJhC.png) *(Generated with Artificial Intelligence)* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Lifespan | 1903 (Sichuan, China) – 23 January 1961 (Istanbul) | | Education | Peking University; Istanbul University (Dârülfünun) Department of History | | Positions | Chinese Member of Parliament, Chairman of the Middle East Delegation, Lecturer and Professor at Istanbul University | | Known Works | Chinese translation of the Quran (lost), article 'Islam in China' | | Entrepreneurship | Founder of 'Çin Lokantası', Istanbul's first Chinese restaurant (1957) | | Family | His wife Fatma Wang and eight children | ## Article Content **Celaleddin Wang-Zin-Shan** (1903–1961) was a Chinese-born Muslim academic, politician, diplomat and one of the pioneering figures in Sinology studies in Türkiye. After beginning his higher education at Peking University, he completed it at Istanbul University. Following senior government positions in China, Wang settled in Türkiye in 1955, where he continued his academic activities and opened Türkiye’s first Chinese restaurant, contributing to the country’s culinary culture. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/06/13/LmxtqUY3IZI5mBahxu5AuysLw0HFnZ9c.png) *Celaleddin Wang (right) and His Brother (Image Enhanced by Artificial Intelligence)* ### Early Life and Education Celaleddin Wang was born in 1903 in Sichuan Province, China, into an intellectual Muslim family. After completing primary and secondary education, he enrolled at Peking University, then known as Peking Imperial University, where he developed a special interest in Arabic and Turkish languages and received formal training in these fields. Driven by his curiosity for languages and history, he traveled to Türkiye in 1928 and enrolled at Istanbul University, then known as Dârülfünun. After graduating from the Department of History in 1931, Wang returned to China. ### Political and Diplomatic Career in China Upon returning to China, Wang entered political life and was elected as a member of parliament. He held various positions within the government of Chiang Kai-shek. In 1935, he led a delegation to Muslim countries in the Middle East, representing China in diplomatic engagements for three years across multiple regions. In 1938, during the period of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s death, he briefly returned to Istanbul. During his service in China, he also held high administrative posts in the Turkistan region and participated in national movements on behalf of Chinese Muslims during the years of the Second World War. ### Migration and Years in Pakistan In 1949, as political conflict in China intensified and the Chiang Kai-shek government collapsed, Wang was forced to leave his homeland with his family and approximately 200 soldiers. After a grueling two-month journey through the Himalayas, the Pamir Mountains and Tibet, marked by extreme dangers such as freezing temperatures, injuries and starvation, he reached Pakistan (Kashmir). He worked as a university lecturer for six years in Pakistan, during which two more children were born. When Pakistan recognized the Communist government of China in 1955, his ability to remain there ended; upon the invitation of his friend, Turkish scholar Zeki Velidi Togan, he migrated to Türkiye with his family.[^1] ### Academic Work and the Sinology Chair After settling in Istanbul in 1955, Wang began his career at Istanbul University’s Faculty of Letters as a lecturer and later professor of Chinese language. He was among the first academics in Türkiye to teach Chinese and made significant contributions to the establishment of the Sinology chair.[^2] In his academic work, he compiled Chinese-language sources on Turkish history and successfully obtained a rich collection of 1,800 volumes from the Taiwanese government, which he brought to Istanbul.[^3] In the field of religious literature, he translated the Qur’an into Chinese, though it is reported that the suitcase containing these translations was lost.[^4] In his comprehensive 1960 article “Islam in China,” published in the *İslâm Tetkikleri Enstitüsü Dergisi*, he provided detailed information on the introduction of Islam to China, the social structures of Muslim communities such as the Dongxiang, and the communist regime’s religious policies.[^5] He defined the term “Dongxiang” as “those who returned to their original religion,” shedding light on the historical origins of this community. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/06/13/AakzGyj5xYiHiaTcwGtPIaHJ4jo0ooQx.png) *Istanbul’s First Chinese Restaurant (Image Enhanced by Artificial Intelligence)* ### Entrepreneurship: Istanbul’s First Chinese Restaurant As his academic salary proved insufficient to support his family of eight children, Wang turned to business. His first venture was a partnership with a fellow from Eastern Turkistan in Sultanahmet; however, the partnership failed when his partner, citing Wang’s academic status and citizenship, took sole control of the business.[^6] Later, using loans from former parliament member Kahraman Arıklı and municipal council member İhsan Bingüler, Wang opened “Çin Lokantası” on 10 October 1957 on Lamartin Street in Taksim (according to some records, Aydede Street). Established in a building formerly housing Özdemir Asaf’s printing press, this enterprise holds the distinction of being Istanbul’s first Chinese restaurant.[^8] The restaurant, managed by his wife Fatma Wang, served a broad clientele including figures such as Ronald Reagan and Efe Özal, becoming an important hub for intellectuals and university students of the era.[^9] The dishes served were prepared without pork due to their Muslim identity and adapted to suit Turkish palates.[^10] ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/06/13/790IzxlXWgGcey0YZm23Ejb0VUFdv4dh.png) *The Wang Family (Image Enhanced by Artificial Intelligence)* ### Death and Family Legacy Celaleddin Wang-Zin-Shan died on 23 January 1961 (some records state 18 January) from a heart attack or stroke shortly before delivering a lecture at Istanbul University. His funeral was held at the old cemetery of Edirnekapı Şehitliği. After his death, his wife Fatma Wang continued operating the restaurant to cover the educational expenses of their eight children (Makbule, İsa, Halime, Rosey, Feride, Neriman, Kurban, Saadet).[^11] His children received their education at Italian, French, German and British schools and pursued careers in various parts of the world.[^12] His son İsa Wang continued his father’s restaurant legacy under the name “Mai-Ling,” while Kurban Wang did so under “Wang Restaurant.”[^13] His daughter Rosey Wang Ma continues academic research on the history and diaspora of Chinese Muslims in Malaysia.[^14] ## Academic Sources and References 1. Daily Sabah. "An Engaging Life Story from China to Istanbul: Celaleddin Wang." Daily Sabah, November 25, 2014. Accessed June 13, 2026. https://www.dailysabah.com/feature/2014/11/25/an-engaging-life-story-from-china-to-istanbul-celaleddin-wang 2. Hürriyet. "İlk Çin Lokantası." Hürriyet. Accessed June 13, 2026. https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/ilk-cin-lokantasi-39109675 3. Lee, Hee Soo (Cemil). “Döngen.” \*TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi\*. Accessed June 13, 2026. https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/dongen 4. Milliyet. “Edirnekapı’da Yatan Çinli’nin Sırrı: Hiç Pes Etmedi, Türkiye’de Bir İlki Başardı.” Milliyet. Accessed June 13, 2026. https://www.milliyet.com.tr/pembenar/edirnekapida-yatan-cinlinin-sirri-hic-pes-etmedi-turkiyede-bir-ilki-basardi-7122822 5. Sabah. "Erbabından Çin Lezzetleri." \*Sabah\*, December 24, 2011. Accessed June 13, 2026. https://www.sabah.com.tr/cumartesi/2011/12/24/erbabindan-cin-lezzetleri 6. Sabah. "Türkiye’nin İlk Çin Lokantacısı Celaleddin Wang." \*Sabah Arşiv\*, March 3, 2007. Accessed June 13, 2026. https://arsiv.sabah.com.tr/cp/gur101-20070303-101.html 7. Wang-zin-shan, Celaleddin. “Çin’de İslamiyet.” \*İslam Tetkikleri Dergisi\* 2, no. 2–4 (2012). Accessed June 13, 2026. https://izlik.org/JA47HL23BX ## Citations [^1]: Daily Sabah. “An Engaging Life Story from China to Istanbul: Celaleddin Wang.” Daily Sabah, 25 November 2014. Accessed 13 June 2026. https://www.dailysabah.com/feature/2014/11/25/an-engaging-life-story-from-china-to-istanbul-celaleddin-wang [^2]: Daily Sabah. “An Engaging Life Story from China to Istanbul: Celaleddin Wang.” Daily Sabah, 25 November 2014. Accessed 13 June 2026. https://www.dailysabah.com/feature/2014/11/25/an-engaging-life-story-from-china-to-istanbul-celaleddin-wang [^3]: Daily Sabah. “An Engaging Life Story from China to Istanbul: Celaleddin Wang.” Daily Sabah, 25 November 2014. Accessed 13 June 2026. https://www.dailysabah.com/feature/2014/11/25/an-engaging-life-story-from-china-to-istanbul-celaleddin-wang [^4]: Daily Sabah. “An Engaging Life Story from China to Istanbul: Celaleddin Wang.” Daily Sabah, 25 November 2014. Accessed 13 June 2026. https://www.dailysabah.com/feature/2014/11/25/an-engaging-life-story-from-china-to-istanbul-celaleddin-wang [^5]: Celaleddin Wang-zin-shan. “Islam in China.” İslam Tetkikleri Dergisi 2, no. 2–4 (2012). Accessed 13 June 2026. https://izlik.org/JA47HL23BX [^6]: Hürriyet. “Istanbul’s First Chinese Restaurant.” Hürriyet. Accessed 13 June 2026. https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/ilk-cin-lokantasi-39109675 [^8]: Hürriyet. “Istanbul’s First Chinese Restaurant.” Hürriyet. Accessed 13 June 2026. https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/ilk-cin-lokantasi-39109675 [^9]: Hürriyet. “Istanbul’s First Chinese Restaurant.” Hürriyet. Accessed 13 June 2026. https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/ilk-cin-lokantasi-39109675 [^10]: Hürriyet. “Istanbul’s First Chinese Restaurant.” Hürriyet. Accessed 13 June 2026. https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/ilk-cin-lokantasi-39109675 [^11]: Hürriyet. “Istanbul’s First Chinese Restaurant.” Hürriyet. Accessed 13 June 2026. https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/ilk-cin-lokantasi-39109675 [^12]: Hürriyet. “Istanbul’s First Chinese Restaurant.” Hürriyet. Accessed 13 June 2026. https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/ilk-cin-lokantasi-39109675 [^13]: Hürriyet. “Istanbul’s First Chinese Restaurant.” Hürriyet. Accessed 13 June 2026. https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/ilk-cin-lokantasi-39109675 [^14]: Hürriyet. “Istanbul’s First Chinese Restaurant.” Hürriyet. Accessed 13 June 2026. https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/ilk-cin-lokantasi-39109675