<P> The opening sentences of the story , in both the Galland and the Burton versions , set it in China and imply , at least , that Aladdin is Chinese . On the other hand , there is practically nothing in the rest of the story that is inconsistent with a Persian or Arabian setting . For instance , the Sultan is referred to as such rather being called the `` Emperor '' , as in some re-tellings , and the people we meet in the story are Muslims : their conversation is larded with devout Muslim platitudes . A Jewish merchant buys Aladdin 's wares ( and incidentally cheats him ) , but there is no mention of Buddhists or Confucians ( or other distinctively Han Chinese people ) . </P>
<P> The opening sentences of the story , in both the Galland and the Burton versions , set it in China and imply , at least , that Aladdin is Chinese . On the other hand , there is practically nothing in the rest of the story that is inconsistent with a Persian or Arabian setting . For instance , the Sultan is referred to as such rather being called the `` Emperor '' , as in some re-tellings , and the people we meet in the story are Muslims : their conversation is larded with devout Muslim platitudes . A Jewish merchant buys Aladdin 's wares ( and incidentally cheats him ) , but there is no mention of Buddhists or Confucians ( or other distinctively Han Chinese people ) . </P>
where does the story of aladdin take place
where does the story of aladdin take place
China
China