Hello, Mr. Terner, for the hard sleeper train in China, there are two upper, two middle and two lower berths in each compartment. The rate for Beijing/Xi'an, it is CNY256.00, CNY265.00 and CNY274.00 net for the upper, middle and lower berth respectively in the hard sleeper. The train tickets can be purchased from the departure city, thus you are suggested to reserve it in Beijing. Hope the above info. is helpful.

around 264 RMB ($40)
about the reservation, you can turn to the hotel you booked.

i want to buy thr ticket for the same day, i mean that i arrive to beijing in the morning and want to leave the same day in the night train. how can i assure aplace on the train. thank you