Good news for Indonesian travelers: Bank Indonesia (BI) and the People’s Bank of China have officially launched the Indonesia–China QRIS cross-border payment system.
This service allows users to make payments simply by scanning a QR code via smartphone—no need to exchange cash or carry large amounts of foreign currency.
What Is QRIS Cross-Border Indonesia–China?
QRIS cross-border is a QR payment system that connects Indonesia’s QRIS network with China’s payment ecosystem through Alipay+ and UnionPay International.
It enables direct settlement between the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) and Chinese Yuan (CNY), without using a third currency such as USD.
China is the sixth country connected to QRIS, following Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea.
Wide Merchant Coverage
The system offers extensive coverage across China:
- Access to more than 80 million Alipay and UnionPay QR codes in China
- Usable across 40+ million merchants in Indonesia for Chinese tourists
- Covers most MSMEs, restaurants, retail shops, and taxis
- Direct IDR–CNY settlement without third-currency conversion
Supported Apps and E-Wallets
Not all Indonesian payment apps support QRIS cross-border in China. Only official providers can be used:
- 24 Indonesian providers (16 banks and 8 non-bank institutions)
- Major banks: BCA mobile, BRImo, Livin’ by Mandiri
- E-wallets: ShopeePay, DANA, GoPay (availability may vary by update)
- China-side apps: Alipay, UnionPay App, Yunshanfu
How to Use QRIS in China
The process is similar to using QRIS in Indonesia:
- Open a supported mobile banking or e-wallet app
- Select the QR scan feature
- Scan the merchant’s Alipay or UnionPay QR code
- The amount will be displayed in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
- Confirm and complete the payment
Key Limitations
Despite its convenience, there are several limitations to keep in mind:
- Daily transaction limits depend on each bank or provider
- WeChat Pay is not fully supported yet
- Only applies to retail person-to-merchant payments
- Cannot be used for peer-to-peer transfers
- Not all merchants in China support cross-border QR payments
- Stable internet connection is required
Benefits for Travelers
- No need to exchange large amounts of RMB
- Lower conversion fees compared to international cards
- Transactions are directly recorded in IDR
- More competitive exchange rates via direct settlement
- Convenient for small merchants that don’t accept credit cards
- Safer than carrying large amounts of cash
Travel Tips for Using QRIS in China
- Update your banking/e-wallet app before departure
- Enable roaming or use an eSIM for stable internet
- Check your international transaction limits
- Turn on transaction notifications
- Keep digital receipts for tracking
- Bring a backup credit card for emergencies
Context: QRIS in Asia
Before its official launch, BI conducted pilot tests in China with 1.64 million transactions worth approximately IDR 556 billion.
The expansion is part of Indonesia’s strategy to strengthen regional payment systems and reduce reliance on USD in cross-border transactions.
For Indonesian travelers visiting Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Chengdu, QRIS cross-border offers a practical and seamless payment solution as digital payments continue to dominate China’s daily transactions.
