The Phase 1 of Tang Little Kyoto Project in Jinshitan, Dalian, China has been implemented by Shuyuan Group and it is scheduled to be completed in June 2021. This June, the model houses and related facilities were open for the sales of approximately 300 units of Phase 1 houses. A grand Japanese festival was held in September 16 by using those facilities. This JCAP7 News article reports these model houses of Tang Little Kyoto.
First, please see the movie produced by Shuyuan Group.

The area of Phase 1 of the project is marked by the red lines in the overall 640,000m2 premises and approximately 300 units of houses are now on sale. The blue color shows the model house area, which includes 4 types of model houses, such as Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter types, General Information Center, commercial buildings, plaza and tower.

Shuyuan Group completed Tangjingze Onsen Hotel and Japanese type villas of about 200 units in 2016 to 2018 in this Jinshitan area. It is approximately 6.5 km west of this Little Kyoto Project. These villas were all sold out and 70% of the owners reside and spend their daily life in the villas rather than use them as their second houses, since the township is so well arranged and secured like the housing project of Japan. As for the details, please refer to JCAP7 News,
URL: http://www.jcap7.com/en/news/dalian-project-2/

Dalian City Authority appreciated the achievement of the housing project and gave the development right of 640,000m2 to the Shuyuan Group. Immediately after the conclusion of the development right, the design team was formed by Shuyuan Group Design Department and JCAP7 for the planning and design of the housing in November 2018. A Groundbreaking Ceremony took place on July 28, 2019 to start the construction, which was also reported by JCAP7 News July 2019. The model houses were completed in June 2020, but meanwhile, the Covid-19 pandemic occurred and has given a large scale social and economic impact to the whole world．Dalian City was also locked out, but Shuyuan Group overcame the difficulties and completed the model houses only by a one-month delay.

“Revival of Tang Dynasty Culture and Japanese Gracious and Natural Lifestyle”

The township and old buildings in Kyoto originated from the era of the Tang Dynasty by importing its cultures in the fields of politics, educations, and religions. The graceful Tang cultures have been further developed and matured by the seasonal changes and climates of Japan for long decades. Japanese people enjoy individual taste of the four seasons and those changes have been displayed within the buildings throughout the daily life. This way, the unique, traditional Japanese style architecture was implemented and this style continues to be favored in the present time of Kyoto.
Tang culture was also taken into consideration for the design of the landscaping and integrated into the nature and climate. The four seasons can be recognized by the big trees planted in the entrance and plaza area, such as the full blossom of cherries in Spring, the verdure of early Summer and the red and yellow leaves in Autumn. Sensitive and small trees and greens produce the gracious landscape in the court of the houses and back-alleys, and a comfortable living quarter was established by blending in with the nature.
It is a very important development concept to bring back and revive the cultures of the Tang Dynasty in Dalian, which had diminished in China now, but remain in the hearts of the Chinese as a nostalgia.
Now please see the latest pictures of the completed model housing area:

Commercial development is another important prerequisite on the urban planning imposed by Dalian City Authority in this Tang Little Kyoto Project. Large shops are planned along the Main Commercial Avenue, but also a space for the small shop is arranged in each house and the owners can open their own shops upon their business strategy and personal interests, such as small merchandise shops, souvenir shops, Chinese and Japanese restaurants, tea rooms and cafés, taverns and various hobby shops and craft centers, etc. Below is a sample of a model shop made by the Shuyuan Group.

The main Phase 1 Commercial Avenue is under construction by targeting to open Japanese and Chinese restaurants and souvenir shops in June 2021. For these large scale shops, Japanese organizations are supporting to recruit the Japanese enterprises and to provide the know-how to make the Japanese style shops, such as KAZAANA(https://www.thebecos.com), which deals with traditional Japanese goods, and JARC (Japan Accommodation Related Consortium, http://jarc-ic.com ). They are to advise the Shuyuan Group to develop life-related businesses, such as a sports gymnasium, cooking school, barber, and amusement facilities. Unfortunately, due to the adverse effects of Covid-19, international travels are heavily restricted and inspection trips from Japan cannot be made easily at present and thus this tangible achievement has not been made so far.

Taking the opportunity of the good sales of the Phase 1 houses, the Shuyuan Group is confident for the future sales and they are planning to bring forward the Phase 2 and 3 of construction. Through the sales of Phase 1, various and precious advices and opinions were obtained from the buyers and they are fed back to the planning and design of the future phases. Larger houses will be put on the market for sale.
JCAP7 wishes to see the completion of the large-scale Japanese style township. JCAP7 also wishes that the commercial activities will be successful, and that Dalian Tang Little Kyoto will create a joyous town like Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka of Kyoto.