Train in China

[LuBlu]

I'm travelling to Beijing in a couple of weeks and want to visit the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an. I'd like to get there by overnight sleeper train and back by plane. However, I've been advised to travel 'deluxe / 5*' on the train. Problem is, only soft sleepers are available. Has anyone travelled on a soft sleeper and got any info on them and what they're like? We'd like to book the whole compartment/cabin, so that we're not sharing - is this possible?
Thanks in advance...

[mushroom25]

this page
http://www.seat61.com/China.htm#Beijing%20-%20 Xian
might help you.

[abstibus]

I have often used the train during the day in other parts of China, but I wouldn't advise the overnight train. The first hard part is negotiating the station, where touts and pickpockets are common, then securing your luggage onto the train. This is not too bad if you have Chinese speaking friends who can help, or a busboy from the hotel. Friends of mine were robbed last Friday night on an overnighter to Beijing. They lost their passports, credit cards and cash, and the scary part is that not one of them noticed until morning.
Flights are cheap and there are plenty of them.