Originally Posted by
allset2travel
moondog,
Appreciate your cost/benefit analysis. You are absolutely right about the time duration and the negligible savings. I too would normally fly this route too.
I am pursuing some train experiences around the world. Just returned from a train trip in Central and Northern Europe. Real fun.
Thought its time to do some in China. Working on a personal pet project, btw.
Actually, my personal choice on this route, especially if I wanted the experience and Chinese language practice (and save springing for a hotel night), would be the excellent express overnight train Z9, leaving Beijing Main Station at 19:15 and arriving Hangzhou station at 08:28. Only one intermediate stop in the morning so they roll very steady through the night, and normally very punctual. A soft sleeper lower berth will only set you back about RMB 540. Z's are still great trains even if they aren't HSR.