Deluxe Soft Sleeper - The Best Overnight Train Option in China

While China's high-speed rail network has reached an impressive level of efficiency and convenience, many travelers still prefer the charm of overnight trains. Unlike high-speed trains, these slower journeys allow passengers to enjoy scenic views along the way. For international travelers, soft sleeper trains are a familiar option—but few have heard of the more exclusive and comfortable Deluxe Soft Sleeper.

Facilities in a Deluxe Soft Sleeper Cabin

When travelers see the word "deluxe", they naturally expect a higher level of comfort—and the Deluxe Soft Sleeper lives up to its name. It offers the most comfortable and private accommodations available on Chinese trains, featuring amenities that set it apart from other sleeper options.

Key Features

• Private Toilet – The biggest advantage! Unlike other overnight sleeper trains, Deluxe Soft Sleeper passengers have their own private restroom, eliminating the need to wait in line.
• Comfortable Sleeping Arrangements – Each cabin has either one upper and one lower berth or two lower berths, ensuring a more spacious and relaxed rest.
• Convenience & Entertainment
• Hot water supply for shower
• Electric kettle for personal use
• Adjustable reading lights for bedtime reading
• Personal TV for in-cabin entertainment

Additional Comforts

• Closets for storing personal belongings
• Disposable slippers for added convenience
• A small trash can to keep the cabin tidy
• Welcome roses for a touch of elegance
• Complimentary Chinese newspaper for passengers who enjoy reading

7 Reasons Why Choose a Deluxe Soft Sleeper

Chinese trains offer three main types of sleeper accommodations: Deluxe Soft Sleeper, Normal Soft Sleeper, and Hard Sleeper. The Deluxe Soft Sleeper is the most premium—and the most expensive—option. So why do so many passengers choose to invest in this luxurious travel experience? Here’s what makes it worth it:

1. Wider Berths & Superior Mattresses

• More sleeping space – Deluxe Soft Sleeper berths are 90-100 cm wide, compared to just 70 cm in normal soft and hard sleeper cabins. This extra space is especially important for international travelers, who often find standard berths too narrow.
• Better mattresses – The beds in a Deluxe Soft Sleeper cabin have thicker, higher-quality mattresses, providing better support and comfort throughout the journey.

2. Private Toilet with Hot Water

• Exclusive in-cabin bathroom – Unlike other sleeper classes where passengers share public restrooms, Deluxe Soft Sleeper cabins come with a private 4m² toilet.
• 24/7 hot water – Passengers can take a bath anytime during the trip, adding a level of comfort rarely found on trains.

3. More Luggage Space

• Dedicated storage – Passengers on overnight trains usually carry more luggage, and Deluxe Soft Sleeper cabins provide ample storage space.
• Smart storage design – While the cabin size is 10-15m², it only accommodates two passengers, allowing for significantly more room than a normal soft sleeper cabin. Luggage is typically stored on top of the closets, keeping the cabin tidy and spacious.

4. Fresher Air & Fewer Passengers

• Less crowded, better ventilation – A Deluxe Soft Sleeper coach has only 8 cabins, with a maximum of 16 passengers. In contrast, a fully-booked normal soft sleeper coach holds 36 passengers.
• Enhanced ventilation – Each cabin is equipped with its own ventilation system, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh air and a more pleasant atmosphere.

5. Adjustable Air Conditioning

• Personalized temperature control – While most trains in China have air conditioning, only Deluxe Soft Sleeper passengers can adjust the temperature in their own cabin.
• No more layering up – On other sleeper trains, passengers can only adjust their clothing for comfort. In a Deluxe Soft Sleeper, you control the perfect climate for your journey.

6. Lockable Cabin Door for Privacy & Security

• Full privacy – The cabin door can be locked from the inside, ensuring a secure and private environment.
• Restricted access – Only ticketed passengers can enter the cabin. However, once locked, the door cannot be opened from the outside without assistance from train staff. If both passengers leave the cabin, they must ask staff to lock or unlock the door upon return.

7. Traveling with a Child Under Six

For families traveling with a young child, the Deluxe Soft Sleeper is an ideal choice for long-distance train journeys. Here’s why:

• Free travel for kids under six – In China, children under six years old can ride the train for free when sharing a berth with an adult. This makes the Deluxe Soft Sleeper a cost-effective option for families. If traveling with more than one child, the second child will need a child ticket, which costs about 75% of an adult fare.
• Comfortable for young children – While high-speed trains are faster, young kids may struggle to sit still for long hours. In a Deluxe Soft Sleeper cabin, they have the freedom to move around, lie down comfortably, or even play small games with their parents.
• Perfect for small families – The spacious layout of the cabin provides enough room for two parents and one child. However, if there are two or more children, the cabin may feel a bit tight.

Warm Tips for Taking a Deluxe Soft Sleeper Train

Bring Your Own Toiletries

Although a Deluxe Soft Sleeper cabin offers a hotel-like experience, it is still a train cabin. Unlike Chinese hotels, toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and towels are not provided by China Railway. Passengers should bring their own wash supplies for a more comfortable journey.

Store Suitcases in Proper Places

A Deluxe Soft Sleeper coach provides more space than other sleeper cabins, but it is still a train, not a hotel. To ensure safety and convenience, passengers should store their suitcases in designated areas, keeping the cabin organized and hazard-free.

Why Some Passengers Do Not Like the Deluxe Soft Sleeper

Solo Passengers or Uneven Tour Group Sizes

For solo travelers or tour groups with an odd number of members, sharing a small space with a stranger can be uncomfortable. While a Deluxe Soft Sleeper cabin is larger than any other sleeper cabins in China, it still covers only 15 square meters. Spending long hours in close quarters with an unfamiliar person can feel awkward or inconvenient.

Smoking Area

Smoking is strictly prohibited on high-speed trains in China, as cigarette smoke can trigger an emergency brake. However, normal-speed trains, which are the only ones equipped with Deluxe Soft Sleeper coaches, allow smoking in designated areas. For non-smokers, this can be an unpleasant experience, as smoke from the smoking section may drift into other parts of the train.

Short-Distance Passengers

Not all passengers require overnight accommodation on the train. For those traveling short distances, paying for a Deluxe Soft Sleeper ticket may not be worthwhile, as they may not need to use the berth at all. In such cases, high-speed trains or regular soft seat options might be a more practical and cost-effective choice.

Which trains are equipped with deluxe soft sleeper

The Schedule was last updated on April 2nd, 2025

• Z501/Z502: Beijing West — Sanya Railway Station
• Z12/Z14: Shenyang North — Guangzhou Railway Station
• Z55/Z56: Beijing West — Lanzhou Railway Station
• Z15/Z16: Beijing Railway Station — Harbin Railway Station
• Z17/Z18: Beijing Railway Station — Qiqihar Railway Station
• Z117/Z118: Beijing Railway Station — Jilin Railway Station
• Z295/Z297: Beijing West — Zhangjiajie West
• Z225/Z227: Beijing Fengtai — Hefei Railway Station
• Z69/Z70: Beijing West — Urumqi Railway Station
• Z51, Z29/Z52,Z30: Beijing Fengtai — Nantong Railway Station
• K179/K180: Beijing West — Zhengzhou Railway Station
• Z268/Z267: Shanghai Railway Station — Hohhot Railway Station
• T6601/T6602: Lanzhou Railway Station — Jiayuguan Railway Station
• Z6516/Z6518: Urumqi Railway Station — Kashgar Railway Station

There are also Deluxe Soft Sleeper coaches on some tourist trains, such as The New Orient Express, Mount Tianshan Tourist Train, and Starlight - Lancang - Mekong River Tourist Train. Tickets for these trains, along with sightseeing activities, are sold as tour packages. If you’re interested in experiencing one of these unique train tours, please contact us for more details.

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