Originally Posted by
anacapamalibu
OP:
There are two of us traveling together (a couple) and we are considering upgrading to this sort of travel by train.
I do not know or speak any of the native languages spoken in china.
A couple, with at least one with no mandarin speaking ability.
Meeting locals on the train?
I could imagine that private cabin could produce a more memorable
experience of train travel in China over a hard seat.
Eh, for me meeting locals usually means meeting a younger college age student to strike up a nice conversation. With no mandarin, you might find a student that wants to practice English. Most like these types aren't the scam type and offer a good opportunity to figure stuff about China.
Makes time go faster if you ask me, but then again with the 4/2 person berth's you can spend hours watching Chinese Kung fu movies too.