Originally Posted by jesus4jets
For the "Z" trains, you should be able to purchase 20 days in advance, and purchase any city-pair at any station selling "Z" train tickets. Thus, within 20 days in advance, your friend should be able to buy two tickets for you in Beijing for the train Xian-Beijing. In fact, I did this exact transaction last week. You can either go to the city ticket office that speaks english (5Y surcharge per ticket) or just go to the train station.
Let us know if your experience is different.
From what I have heard so far, your information appears to be correct. While I have not yet received confirmation that my tickets have been bought, my friend in Beijing says her travel agent said they could buy the Xian-Beijing "Z" train tickets (I apparently have to pay an extra 10 yuan commission because somebody has to physically go down to the railway office to get them). At the same time, they said they could not get the Suzhou-Xian tickets. While apparently quite modern, that train is only classified as a "T." I'm still asking around and seeking a solution for that one.
Peter's comments that Americans have a needless "obsession" with booking Chinese arrangements in advance no doubt has an element of truth. But, at the same time, there seem to be numerous reports of folks having some difficulty buying the tickets they need only a day or two in advance. As most Americans (and other foreign tourists) are typically "on the go" in China -- trying to see as much of vast China on a limited time schedule -- a little advanced planning, if it's possible, seems like a decent idea.