To get from Beijing to Shanghai we took the train. It's 1,200 km. 

China has by far the most extensive high-speed-rail network in the world. It's larger than the entire European high-speed network and very much cheaper, per kilometre travelled. The trains are the fastest in the world.

The single-class coaches are comfortable but not particularly flash, compared to some European trains we've been on. Coaches have both types of toilets and a small kitchenette area.

To quote form Google: "China's high-speed rail (HSR) network is the world's largest and most extensive, currently spanning over 45,000 km and connecting over 550 cities. These high-speed trains, known as bullet trains, can reach speeds of up to 350 km/h (217 mph), significantly reducing travel times between major cities. China aims to further expand its HSR network, projecting 70,000 km of high-speed rail by 2035."

After taking into account travelling to an airport, with the usual airport delays, four hours on a train is both more comfortable than 'Cattle-class' and faster than flying.

The all-stops train from Beijing to Shanghai - 1,200 km - takes four-and-a-half hours (with 8 stops).
Sydney to Brisbane by car - 972 km (inland route) -  takes 11 hours with good traffic
or one-and-a-half hours plus, plus, plus by air.

We didn't go all the way to Shanghai on the train. We got off 35 minutes earlier at Wuxi (pronounced wooshy). The stop was extremely brief and caused some consternation among our group, some of whom had several large bags to get off, resulting in a problem for at least one Chinese passenger when their bag got caught up in the Australian exodus and was still on the platform when the train doors closed. Bloody Australians!