Thanks Mr Emma

Yes please. The problem is according to the new visa requirement we have to give the Chinese Embassy confirmed hotel reservations for the full stay in China. I have already paid for my full stay. I will not be sleeping for 2 nights in my hotel in Beijing but I have paid for it plus the train, so another night in Xian again will be an additional cost. With out the train tickets I did not want to take a chance. The Agents I contacted wanted US $166 for 2 soft sleeper tickets to book in advance, I thought it was over priced.

What are my chances of getting two tickets and are there soft seats as wellon the Z train ? Most importatnt is there a foreign ticket counter at Xian Station so that I can go there straight away.

I would really appreciate your answers to these please and thanks a lot once again