Following our guide on https://malagis.com/qucik-build-a-cesium-study-example.html, this article addresses limitations of Cesium Ion—particularly accessibility challenges for Chinese users—by demonstrating alternative basemap integration methods.

Understanding ImageryLayers

The ImageryLayers class manages map imagery display in CesiumJS, enabling:

  • Multi-layer overlays (satellite imagery, custom maps)
  • Layer ordering control
  • Transparency/visibility adjustments

Basic Implementation

const viewer = new Cesium.Viewer('cesiumContainer');
const imageryLayers = viewer.imageryLayers;

// Add Bing Maps layer
imageryLayers.addImageryProvider(new Cesium.BingMapsImageryProvider({
  url: 'https://dev.virtualearth.net',
  key: 'your-bing-maps-key',
  mapStyle: Cesium.BingMapsStyle.AERIAL
}));

// Add WMS layer
const wmsLayer = imageryLayers.addImageryProvider(new Cesium.WebMapServiceImageryProvider({
  url: 'https://example.com/wms',
  layers: 'layer-name',
  parameters: { transparent: true, format: 'image/png' }
}));

// Layer customization
wmsLayer.alpha = 0.5;
imageryLayers.raiseToTop(bingLayer);
wmsLayer.show = false;

Custom Basemap Solutions

1. Static Image Basemaps

Utilize pre-rendered global basemaps from our https://malagis.com/share-echarts-gl-official-basemap-data.html:

const staticBasemap = new Cesium.SingleTileImageryProvider({
  url: "/world-topo.jpg",
  tileWidth: 5400,
  tileHeight: 2700,
  rectangle: Cesium.Rectangle.fromDegrees(-180.0, -90.0, 180.0, 90.0)
});

viewer.imageryLayers.addImageryProvider(staticBasemap);

!https://image.malagis.com/gis/2025/iShot_2025-02-06_10.48.27.jpg

2. Tianditu Service Integration

Requires API key registration (https://malagis.com/qgis-add-china-map-source-gaode-tianditu.html):

const tiandituLayer = new Cesium.WebMapTileServiceImageryProvider({
  url: 'http://{s}.tianditu.gov.cn/img_w/wmts?service=wmts&request=GetTile&version=1.0.0&LAYER=img&tileMatrixSet=w&TileMatrix={TileMatrix}&TileRow={TileRow}&TileCol={TileCol}&style=default&format=tiles&tk=YOUR_TIANDITU_KEY',
  layer: 'img',
  style: 'default',
  format: 'tiles',
  tileMatrixSetID: 'w',
  subdomains: ['t0','t1','t2','t3','t4','t5','t6','t7'],
  maximumLevel: 18
});

viewer.imageryLayers.addImageryProvider(tiandituLayer);

Key Benefits

  1. Eliminates Cesium Ion Dependency: No account registration required
  2. Performance Optimization: Faster loading for Chinese users
  3. Customization Flexibility: Mix-and-match basemap sources
  4. Cost Efficiency: Avoids potential Cesium Ion commercial restrictions
Note: Tianditu services require compliance with China's geographic information regulations.