"Fair point. My guess is plane travel is still too expensive for the masses. Although economy flights in China didn't seem overly prohibitive. I'd much rather fly than even soft sleeper on the train, just saves so much trouble."

Yes flying can be easier, depends on how far you're going. I still prefer trains for short to mid distance trips, hard sleeper works fine for me. I think the soft sleepers on Chinese trains are a tad over priced for what you're getting. Always get the top bunk when buying a hard sleeper, and you'll be plenty comfortable. That is if there isn't a crying baby, or a snoring fat guy right beneath you, which there almost always is. LOL. As for the bullet trains, still to expensive I think.