Since the introduction of the concept of 3D cadastre, a great many of significant research results have been done. To promote the development of 3D cadatre, 3D cadastre working group sponsored by International Federation Surveyors (FIG) commissions 3 and 7 was organized by Delft University of Technology in 2001. This working group provides a research and communication platform for the 3D cadastral researchers in the world. With the development of 3D cadastre in recent decades, a great many of technologies including 3D cadastral data acquisition, data validation, data visualization and so on have been developed, which met the basic needs of 3D cadastre. Furthermore, 3D cadastre management systems had been carried out in service in several countries and regions include Queensland in Australia, the Netherland, Sweden, and so on. Compared with the above countries and regions, 3D cadastral development in China is relatively backward. Lots of theoretical researches include the data modeling and the register frameworks of 3D cadastre were made by Chinese researchers. However, most of the existing studies are carried out from the perspective of theoretical and with few associated practical applications in cadastral registration and management. The purpose of developing 3D cadastre is to better serve the needs of cadastral management. With the development of nowadays socio-economic, demands for 3D cadastral visualization, multi-purpose real estate registration and other 3D cadastral data services are increasing. This paper mainly introduces the ideas and parts of research results of a joint research project launched by Nanjing Normal University and Bureau of Land and Resources of Xinyi recently. The project is also supported by the Department of Land and Resources of Jiangsu and Bureau of Land and Resources of Xuzhou. The aim of the project is to establish a 3D cadastral management, data visualization and registration model for cadastral management and apply them in regional registration. Firstly, we review the real estate registration development history as the background of this project. Secondly, problems and public complaints refer to current cadastral registration are analyzed as the demands for 3D cadastral management and registration. A 3D cadastral modeling method adapted to practical demands is briefly introduced at last.