I'm doing the Kunming-shanghai highspeed rail and definitely satisfied. from the north it was only a 40 minute drive to the Kunming south train station in Chenggong. There are 3 classes for the gaotie 二等 which is like economy and 一等 which is like business class and 商务 which is first class. The difference between 二 and 一 are quite significant, there are way more rows of seats and 8 seats per row, whereas the 一等 has far fewer rows with 4 seats per row. While the first class room has some individual armchairs and is empty. The difference in price is quite vast. Economy 800-900, business 1800-1900 and first class 2500+. When I got on my carridge was empty except for a train cop but as soon as the train arrived at ChangSha, Hunan business filled up. Despite it being 35 degrees outside the air conditioning has made it comfortable in the train. There's 22 stops between KM and SH. It takes 11h30 to get to SH compared with 38h hours on the regular train. I know flying would only be 3h and cheaper but it's an experience. there's no smoking :-) My advice is go for the mid range seating if you want to do it.

I use the high speed trains a lot from Guangzhou to Hangzhou & Shanghai, about 6 & 8 hours respectively. Always on time which is something I can't say for the flights.

One thing though "there are way more rows of seats and 8 seats per row, ". I've never been in one with 8 seats across a row in 2nd class. They've always been 6 across.

Great train to Guangzhou, 6 across, beats flying any day.

My mistake,just went to check, it 5 across in 2nd class

Just had a peak at the 2800rmb seat which appear to be awesome looking recliners, about 6 of them. I wish I splurged the extra 1000!

A few years ago I had to get a 1st class ticket on the short ride from Shanghai to Hangzhou. The seat was so comfortable, I was disappointed to reach my destination!

I have traveled economy class a couple of times. I know an engineer who used to travel business class, until the company stopped them, so that now he flies; rather than travel economy class on the train. He said you always get noise and screaming kids. I had a similar experience.
If you have kids, then the train is probably the way to go, as they can run around a bit.

If you want a bit more peace, even though flying economy is not great, and the seats are a little smaller (only a little), then fly. I used to think that the train was a viable alternative to flying to Shanghai, but the idea of 11 hours in economy class rail is disturbing.

Seems to me there are too many airplanes in the dirty sky.

well i wont be riding my bike to shanghai mate, or beijing. and the title is an oxymoron