That's the one thing that's a little annoying about the gaotie in China. It doesn't run at night, so you are limited to about 1200km a night on the slower overnight D trains (Beijing Shanghai say). Otherwise you could hop on a train in Beijing in the evening and wake up in Hong Kong, Shenzhen or Guangzhou.
Oh I see! I went midweek and didn't realise it is different around weekends. I was so disappointed to have to fly to get there for 9am, I really hate planes and shorthaul really hates me! Hopefully I can arrange a Monday or Tuesday next time!
