The San Ma Lu is a pinyin translation of the original Chinese.
In Chengdu, a lot of the roads are named by their Pinyin names. I have been using the ‘Alternate’ names to list a google English name, pinyin and simplified Chinese.
So for the example above. The main name would be 3rd Road then the alternates would have San Ma Lu and “三马路” listed.
I am assuming here that people using search inside Waze can search the Alternate names also!
I believe some clarification is required here.
The road names on most road signs I have seen (Urban and Rural) do not have English Chinese, but Pinyin. It is a romanised version of Chinese and is also used to enter characters on a phone, tablet or computer.
Therefore “三马路” is pinyinised as San Ma Lu. Use the Chinese input method on a microsoft keyboard and you will get these characters.
I suggest using “三马路/San Ma Lu” for road names, cities and prefectures as these are readily used by all local persons. An English translation to 3rd Road may be an option under the alternate names for clarity.
Alternative name is not yet searchable unfortunately. Also there is a hack for routing using alternative name so please do not add any names on this field unless it is necessarily, such as a street with 2 names or a hack is required for routing as mentioned above, etc.
If Pinyin is used in Chengdu, then please just use the Street name field and type in, for example, “三马路 San Ma Lu” (without the / slash sign) and leave the alternative name empty.
It is a good point. It means there is a chance foreigners can input Chinese if they know the pinyin by just typing the English letter :mrgreen:
It is a good point. It means there is a chance foreigners can input Chinese if they know the pinyin by just typing the English letter. It may solve mikesierra83 issue he cannot write Chinese :mrgreen:
This is also being discussed here https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=368&t=138033
Well, during the China map raid. We decided to use Road, Street, etc. I would like to see how Editot thinks as he a heavy editor in China. We really need to finalize the naming system for China.
Agreed with Leo. We need to come up with the system which can provide good user experience to local users, as pursuit by Waze. In that regard, I personally think the long road name will do the opposite way. Especially when user getting navigation with TTS voice prompt.
That is a good point 
I think the simplified Chinese and pinyin for all roads is a good way to go. I have seen this on the green street name plates all through Chengdu and on local map display boards in the tourist areas too.
Normally with the Chinese above the Pinyin. Nice road name plates though. It must take some time to impress them for all the characters used. White lettering on Green background.
I don’t think Waze will give it to us. Also Waze wants to localise the street name on Waze’s map, i.e. Only Chinese Characters in China, no English. Sure except the road number such as E1201, A1344, etc