2018 Harbin Free Travel Guide

2018 has arrived. Harbin is a typical northeastern city. The climate here is also bitterly cold. The beautiful ice and snow world and various surrounding snow scenes are amazing, especially attracting tourists from the south to come and explore. , let me share with you the guide and precautions for free travel in Harbin in 2018.

As an authentic northern child, I spent four years of college and one year after graduation in Xiamen, south of the country, and Southeast Asia. Every day was full of flowers, the sky was high, and the sun was dazzling. I saw it every winter. It started to snow in my circle of friends, and I felt extremely envious. I went back to Beijing for graduate school in 2016, but I didn’t expect a decent snow until 2018. This year was especially egregious. It snowed in most of China, but Beijing was still as sunny as ever

So, winter You must go to a real snow country.

Unfortunately, just two days before my trip, news about Northeast travel broke out on the Internet. First, nine girls from Beijing Forestry University traveled together in a van from Harbin to Xuexiang. A traffic accident occurred, causing extremely tragic consequences, and then an article titled "No matter how white the snow in Xuexiang is, it can't cover up the pure black heart of the people! Don't go to Xuexiang again!" denounced the tourism chaos in Heilongjiang, " The saying “9 months to sharpen a knife, 3 months to slaughter a sheep” is very popular. This made me a little uneasy as I was planning to travel alone, but it is certainly not my character to cancel the ticket and "safely" stay in Beijing for a while. In this case, a careful plan is needed to avoid "being cheated" and "safety" question.

Regarding safety:

1. Several students from Lin University chartered cars to Xuexiang by themselves. This method is often the first choice for independent travel, but! From Harbin High-speed Railway Station As soon as I came out, I was surrounded by unlicensed car drivers. No one cared about it! Considering the weather, unlicensed cars without insurance and license are still very unsafe.

2. It was said in the news that 9 people chose to ride in a van. If this is not beyond my understanding, it must be overloaded, right? The road is already difficult to walk on, and with overloading, you can decide how dangerous it is. Imagine. Safety first, safety first, safety first at all times! I am a life-loving person.

3. Book the hotel in advance. Basically everyone can do this. However, if a girl travels alone or in two or three people, it is recommended to book in a relatively prosperous road section. In the Northeast winter, it is 4 p.m. It gets dark after a few days, it's minus 30 degrees outside, and there aren't many people doing outdoor activities, so it's not safe to walk at night.

4. Don’t trust the directions of people on the roadside. I chose an uncle with an "urban management" armband to ask for directions. He deliberately pointed me in the opposite direction. Fortunately, I cleverly turned on the navigation at the same time. The uncle looked very embarrassed at the time and said he was joking. I was In his heart -

There is no doubt that he is a real urban management officer.

In the next few days, I encountered fake staff in uniforms, but they were actually trying to sell travel supplies. After this experience, I decided not to ask for directions easily.

5. Although there are constant negative news during various journeys, we don’t have to stop eating because of choking. After all, even if you take the subway, you will encounter people jumping on the subway, and you may be hit when you go out to buy groceries. No place is completely safe. Safety, if you stay at home forever because of this, you will miss a lot of opportunities to see the world.

So the point is not to be afraid of danger, but to avoid danger.

About "preventing pitfalls":

1. Xuexiang may not have expected to be so popular this year, but this time I did not deliberately avoid Xuexiang. We have arranged to pass by Xuexiang. It is recommended to arrive at two or three o'clock in the afternoon and leave at four or five o'clock in the afternoon. This way you can see the different style of Xuexiang during the day and the Xuexiang with lights on at night. There is no need to buy anything during the whole journey, and there is no need to have lunch or dinner, let alone accommodation. This avoids the three most common pitfalls of "eating", "accommodation" and "buying". There is a place in the Xuexiang Scenic Area called the "Visitor Service Center", which has free resting seats and hot water. There are also vending machines selling hot drinks and snacks at reasonable prices. If you are too cold or tired or thirsty, you can go in and sit for a while. , replenish energy.

2. Pay special attention when going to the mountains. For example, Changbai Mountain is a scenic spot with a well-developed tourism industry, but the "fake staff" I mentioned earlier still appear in the lobby, equipped to intimidate tourists. If it is not enough, you will be cold to death when you go up the mountain, and your shoes will slip down the mountain. If you get scared, you will rent their knee pads, coats and anti-skid chains. However, you don’t need them for the personal test. You can prepare these equipment by yourself in advance.

3. Prepare enough hot water! Most places you go will provide free hot water, but there is no hot water in the entire scenic area of ??Changbai Mountain. You can’t buy it. You can only buy instant noodles to get hot water. A bucket of instant noodles costs RMB 10 at the foot of the mountain and RMB 20 for a bucket at the top. For me, who would never eat a bowl of instant noodles in a year, I have already finished this year’s instant noodles

Preparation before departure

1. Thermal clothes or fleece pants (must have), snow jackets (cold and waterproof) and crampons (anti-slip), down jackets/padded jackets (must have), thermal water bottles (must have), warm hats ( Essential), windproof gloves (essential), jackets and pants (optional), large backpack or suitcase (optional), waterproof hiking boots or snow boots with wool insoles (high-top, recommended for a few days before departure), Two or more pairs of thick cotton socks, warm kneepads (optional), sunglasses or ski goggles (sunlight is strong, snow blindness is required), hiking poles (optional), swimsuit (hot spring), etc.;

2 , toiletries, photographic equipment, personal hygiene products, camera backup batteries, mobile power supplies, and enough camera memory cards;

3. High-calorie snacks (such as chocolate, beef jerky, toffee, ginger tea) ;

4. Warm Baby Patch (must have), it is recommended to take five pieces per day to stick on knees, soles of feet, and mobile phones (to reduce power consumption and shutdown of mobile phones in extremely cold weather, personal test Effective);

5. Cold medicine (isatis root or 999 is a must, to prevent colds after blowing during the day), diarrhea medicine, frostbite ointment, band-aid and other commonly used medicines, facial mask (essential), after blowing for a day, come back Apply a facial mask, you will thank me

Given the extremely cold weather, it really takes courage to apply a sheet mask, so I recommend a smear-type mask

For example

Hydrating effect Very good

6. You must bring your ID card, other ID cards such as student ID card, military officer ID card, tour guide ID card, reporter ID card, etc. Bring all the ID cards that may allow you to spend less money and do more things.;

7. Friends who are short-sighted, please wear contact lenses, otherwise all you will see if you can’t take off the mask is——

The white earth is so clean

Okay, after so much verbosity, I can finally set off happily!

Here is the text!

Itinerary duration:

January 9 Day - January 15th (including round-trip transportation time)

Itinerary cost:

About 3,000 yuan

Pin-in location:

12

Day1: Beijing-Harbin

The reason why I chose this high-speed train instead of flying there directly is because I think the journey is also a part of travel, and it can be endured for eight hours. It is recommended It was arranged on the way out, so I was still very excited and physically not tired.

I deliberately chose a window seat. As the train went north, the bare yellow land outside the window gradually became covered with snow, which became thicker and thicker. The temperature on the train showed a range from -4℃ to -8℃. ℃, -10 ℃ to -20 ℃, look up from time to time, the scenery is always changing, it is a magical experience. If you ride all the way from Guangzhou, you will feel like you have experienced four seasons, which will be more interesting! Waves of passengers change around you, and the Northeastern accent is getting stronger and stronger.

Reading books and listening to songs along the way, heading towards a place where the temperature is 30 degrees below zero. The music software on your mobile phone stores songs that you have listened to since college. In Chinese, English, French, Thai, and Cantonese, you often come across songs with stories. When you listen to them, you will remember the singles you played at a certain time. The mood you feel when you cycle it.

That feeling is amazing.

When I was quietly listening to music and reading for the sixth hour, a group of chattering young people with familiar Southeast Asian accents and Thais came up and asked me to borrow a pen. Everyone who spoke most of the Thai words laughed out loud, and I became more and more talkative

I am usually busy with so-called "business", and it is difficult for me to have a lot of time to read leisurely. This time it was simply It was so luxurious. I read three books that I had accumulated for a long time on the way back and forth, and I was in a good mood.

They are——

"On the Long Journey" by Michio Hoshino

"The Devotion of Suspect X" by Keigo Higashino

Liu Yu's "Send You a Bullet"

I arrived at Harbin Station at around three o'clock in the afternoon, where I met the urban management uncle. After that, I decided to take the bus to the hotel.

It is worth noting that the bus stop sign at Harbin Station is very inconspicuous, it is a very small sign, and the buses bound for the city are not next to the station. There are only free buses to the airport and other places next to the station. The shuttle bus from the train station and the bus to the city have to turn around and cross the road and walk several hundred meters. Many passengers cannot find it for a while. Maybe this is also a reason for the rampant use of black buses?

Anyway, as a veteran road addict, I successfully found and arrived in Kaisen!

Harbin is a city that combines Chinese and Western elements, and is known as the "Moscow of the East". In addition, with the opening of the Ice and Snow World , as well as Central Street, Gogol Street, Sophia Cathedral, Stalin Park, Polar Museum, etc., are still worth visiting.

But just after getting off the warm high-speed train, I felt like I had fallen into an ice cellar. In addition, I was very tired after 8 hours. It was getting dark around 4:30, and no one had much thought in the cold wind. During my stroll, I only passed by the cathedral and didn’t have time to see other places in the city. However, after all, the trip I arranged this time was mainly for the natural scenery, so my regret was mainly that I didn’t get to eat——

Russian food, red sausage, Dalieba and Harbin Beer

It is recommended to purchase some dry food in the city for backup on the day of arrival. If you do not bring enough cold-proof equipment, you should also prepare it.

Day2: Maoershan Ski Resort - Erlanghe Snow Village

The first thing to do when coming to the Northeast is of course - skiing!

The Northeast What is the difference between the ski resort and other places?

Perhaps the biggest difference is that there is no need to make artificial snow, it is purely natural, pollution-free, and the snow quality is good.

We chose Maoershan Ski Resort, which is one of the two five-star ski resorts in Heilongjiang. The equipment is very professional and the configuration of the ski resort is also very good, probably because it is taught by the Harbin Institute of Physical Education The base is full of youthful atmosphere, and the ski resort is very large. Even if there are many people, it will not be crowded.

Not much to say, the picture above

Everything looks harmonious, but the truth is that the skis, gloves and poles are always falling endlessly

Two hours of skiing time is enough, because you will be driven crazy by the process of dragging heavy skis up and your nose will turn into ice

In short, this skiing inspired me to return to Beijing to continue practicing Technological ambitions.

In the afternoon, we took the bus to Erlanghe Snow Village. Highly recommended!

It is also a small village. Compared with Xuexiang, which is not very famous recently, it is not too commercialized, but it is You can also see houses covered with white snow that has not melted for many years, like little mushrooms.

And there are dogs

It is said that this is one of the coldest places in Heilongjiang. Splashing water into ice is not a dream at all.

Then the locals would watch a group of silly kids from the south pour cups of boiling water into the sky, waiting for it to turn into ice and fall down on themselves, and they would all be very happy. I don’t know what they are thinking at this moment

In Erlanghe Snow Village, there are many B&Bs to choose from, and the prices are not too conscientious compared to Xuexiang!

The one we chose It’s Doudou’s, and the owner is very enthusiastic. Everyone makes dumplings and has a dumpling feast together, which also eliminates the possibility of being cheated by sky-high prices.

At night, two people live in a Northeastern traditional four-person heated kang. There will not be a scene in Xuexiang where eight people sleep on a four-person kang and become a Datong shop with a price that is sky-high.

The name of my room is "Stewed Goose", which made me laugh for a long time. In addition, there are "chicken stew", "cabbage stew" and "tofu stew" that you can think of.

Sleep quietly.

Good night.

Day3: Erlanghe - Hiking on Datudingzi Mountain - Xuexiang - Mudanjiang

This is my favorite day, bar none!!

Please come to Du Niang again:

Tuding Mountain is located 13 kilometers away from Xuexiang. The main peak is 1,690 meters above sea level. It is the highest peak in Heilongjiang. It is said that the snow on the top of the mountain does not melt all year round. Along the way is a primeval forest surrounded by rime. The top of the mountain is a flat land with a clear view. There are almost no trees, only low flowers and grass. This is a treasure house of alpine plants and the cradle of wild animals. The hiking length is ***10 kilometers.

Equipment:

Hot water, hiking poles, snow jackets (moisture-proof and heat-insulating), high-calorie snacks (to replenish energy on the road)

Necessary:

A local guide

On January 11th, the sky on the day of mountain climbing was as clear and blue as if it had been washed by snow. Under the sky were pure white snowfields and pristine mountains shrouded in rime. Forest, tall pine trees covered with snow, with a thickness of fifty centimeters of snow.

Popular Science Classroom

Rime, commonly known as tree hanging, is formed when oversaturated water vapor in the air condenses when it condenses during the severe cold season. It is a very rare natural wonder.

Rime is neither ice nor snow, but the result of the countless water vapor in the fog that is below zero degrees Celsius and has not yet sublimated, which accumulates and freezes with the wind on branches and other objects. The formation of rime requires very low temperatures and sufficient water vapor. It is even more rare to have these two extremely important and contradictory natural conditions for the formation of rime at the same time.

Therefore, even though there is a rime island in Jilin, you can’t see the rime at any time. I was very lucky this time. Wherever I went, I could see beautiful rime.

The tall cedar is the real Christmas tree!

The crystal clear rime

As I walked, it turned into an Eskimo girl with frozen eyelashes or something. , and they are all true

After reaching the top, the view is very broad. You can imagine what this picture looks like in 360°. Because the weather is so good, the "snow dragon" in the distance is also very clear. Beauty that only the human eye can capture in pixels.

The snow along the way was so clean that people couldn’t bear to step on it. Sometimes the snow on the trees would fall and spread around, like snow. I looked up and felt a sore nose. Your eyes are wet, is this the legendary beautiful cry?

If you want excitement, you can take a snowmobile down the mountain. Very cool!!

Too beautiful for words.

During the hike to the top, I was very moved. Before climbing, the big yellow dog of the guide brother, Golden Retriever, must go up the mountain with us. No matter how hard we rush, he will never go back. In the snow It was rolling around in the ground, being cute, and helping us pick up gloves. White clumps of snow fell on it, like flowers.

At that moment, my heart melted.

The beauty of nature can never be imitated no matter how advanced human technology is.

Whether you come or not, it is there, quiet, with a kind of independent beauty.

After the hike, we took a bus to Xuexiang, a famous and dissed place.

Xuexiang was originally a Shuangfeng forest farm located in Dahailin Forestry Bureau of Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province. It was discovered by several photographers in the last century and became famous in one fell swoop. Later, "Where Are We Going, Dad" became a hit, and Xuexiang began to be overcrowded. .

Wherever there are people, there are rivers and lakes.

The key word for Xuexiang Jianghu this year is - cheating customers.

I originally thought that the influence of popular articles in the past would affect the number of tourists in Xuexiang. After arriving, I felt that it did not. There were still a lot of tourists, most of whom came with suitcases and wanted to visit at night. The people who live here are in sharp contrast to the vastness and sparse population of the places I have been to before.

I wish them good luck and meet an honest boss.

In comparison, we "passers-by" seem relaxed.

Snow town during the day VS snow town with lights on at night

To be honest, it is beautiful.

The thick snow roof is very cute.

When the lights are on, it’s like a small fairy tale town.

However, there are too many tourists, and I am naturally repelled by places where crowds gather.

Pass by, but don’t stop.

The thick hair went to live in Mudanjiang! Mudanjiang gave me my first shock.

Grandpa and aunties dancing square dance downstairs in the hotel

People across the country love square dancing in the same way, I understand.

After all, square dancing, as the quintessence of the Chinese nation, has spread abroad.

However!

This is Mudanjiang!

The outdoor temperature is minus 28 degrees at this moment!!

Stretch out your hand I lost consciousness within ten seconds after I came out!!!

People of Mudanjiang, please accept my respects from this junior generation.

Your physique instantly kills all the Buddhists born in the 1990s who are soaking in red dates and wolfberry water at home.

Day 4: Mudanjiang - Jingbo Lake Grand Canyon - Winter Fishing - Erdaobai River

Jingbo Lake Canyon is 100 kilometers away from Mudanjiang City, and the transportation is very convenient.

Korean Folk Village in the Old Valley of Jingbo Lake Waterfall.

It is said that if you come here in spring and summer, you can appreciate the unique life scenery and folk culture of the Korean people. There are long drum performances and lively bonfire parties every night, as well as fierce and fierce wrestling and high-altitude swings that integrate competition and entertainment. There are also unique and authentic Korean specialties, residential accommodation, and authentic folk performances. It still feels very lively.

Dansu!

Because the time we went there was not right, the temperature in the folk village was too low in winter, all performances were closed, and no one lived here. The whole village Quiet, but not desolate or dilapidated. All the swings, cake-making tools, etc. were kept in place, and all the room doors were closed tightly. It was as if magic had been cast suddenly, and everyone in the village had disappeared. , leaving only items that I didn’t have time to take away.

With a little snow fox

The lake is frozen, as if the big snowflakes are solidified on the ice. It is very beautiful and magical

Ice is the shape of love for you!

In short, if you want to experience this feeling of isolation quietly, you can choose to take a walk in winter without anyone disturbing you. To experience Korean folk customs, it will be more lively in other warm seasons, and the "disappeared" villagers will reappear here, just like what is said in "Peach Blossom Spring":

"The land is flat and vast, The houses are neat, with fertile fields, beautiful ponds, mulberry trees, and bamboos.

There are people walking around, chickens and dogs are walking around, and the men and women are dressed like outsiders.

My yellow hair is hanging down, and I am enjoying myself."

Leave Jingbo Canyon and set out to watch the winter fishing!

The most famous winter fishing in Chagan Lake is the most memorable. This is what is described in "A Bite of China":

"In the winter when dripping water turns into ice, before dawn, the fishing team begins to set off to Chagan Lake. Every year from the end of December to before the Spring Festival For a while, Chagan Lake entered the golden period of winter fishing, because it is easier to store the fish caught in winter. This ancient method of winter fishing originated from prehistory and flourished in the Liao and Jin Dynasties. It has remained unchanged for thousands of years. /p>

The process of winter fishing is very arduous. Fishing still follows the oldest method, which is completed entirely by manpower and horse-drawn carriages. At the scene, you can basically not see the operation of modern machinery, the only thing that can be seen. They are a group of resolute men, with their backs hunched and pulling heavy fishing nets.

”

Okay, back to reality. In fact, watching winter fishing as a tourism project has been given too many performance qualities. The winter fishing you think is like this

The actual Above, the winter fishing you see may look like this

The fish were pulled out one by one, and everyone rushed to hold the fish and take pictures

It is worth mentioning that to see the winter fish On the way to catch people, they would ride on this kind of leather tire and slide over it. On the road was an endless expanse of ice, with a cold ice bed beneath them and a blue sky that seamlessly connected with the ice above them. When they met a naughty master, they would also deliberately play tricks. Drifting on the ice allows you to experience the feeling of drifting.

PS: Be sure to pay attention to safety!

The seats at the back are also the easiest to be thrown out. The seats in front are all empty, so try not to sit at the end just for the sake of excitement. Also, pull up the armrests! Pull up the armrests! Pull up the armrests! Say the important thing three times.

Why do I know?

Because I watched the team leader being thrown out and dragged for a while

My heart almost burst out of fear

Safety first!

To avoid causing misunderstandings and unnecessary panic, let me put it objectively. If the normal tires are full of people, there will be no problem in the end, because the weight is enough and they will not be thrown out.

On the ice, you can transform into a martial arts master and check in at Erdaobaihe in the evening!

Here, I would like to commend the hotel you stayed at tonight. The room is large and comfortable enough. You will not be disappointed. .

Of course, what attracts me the most is! This is a hot spring hotel. There are outdoor hot springs and indoor hot springs to choose from.

Of course I choose the outdoor one. >It was freezing and snowy outside, and the hot spring pool was filled with smoke. I was excited just thinking about it. I originally planned to take beautiful hot spring photos.

Even this would be okay!

However, the reality is. Cruelly, the time to go to the hot springs is usually at night, the fog is lingering around you, and the photos are all blurry. It doesn’t matter, just be happy.

However, I ran from the warm room to minus 2 with a bath towel. It’s ten degrees outside, and the journey before entering the soup pool is very dangerous!

Stepping on the ice and snow, the cold and crisp air blowing towards your face will refresh your spirit.

So, take a deep breath, face the cold wind, and rush to the hot springs

Once you step into the water, you will feel that everything is worth it.

But other feelings are still needed. I’ll leave it to you to experience it for yourself.

If it’s a hot spring hotel on Changbai Mountain, the hot spring experience may be better. The geographical environment around the hot spring is more wild. Going to the hot spring during the day and taking good photos is not a dream.

The best thing about Gemstone International is that it is very close to the Demon Realm Scenic Area, which can be reached in ten minutes by car.

Day5: Demon Realm - Changbai Mountain

Changbai Mountain Demon Realm Scenic Spot is located in the needle of Changbai Mountain. The water quality in the scenic area is excellent and does not freeze all year round. When the temperature is cold, magical scenes will appear. When the sun rises, the plants in the water form rime due to atmospheric transpiration, which makes the trees and water appear looming, as if they were in the ancient world of primitive society. Photographers call this place a "demon world".

If you want to see the most beautiful and original scenery of the devil world, you need to get up early. If we set off at six o'clock, we can still catch the sunrise.

However, sunrise, like rime, requires opportunity.

So, it doesn’t matter if you wake up early and don’t see the sunrise. The other scenery in the Demon World is also worth seeing. Just take a photo and it will be a blockbuster.

The clothes are similar to the color of the grass on the river, and have a good sense of integration with the environment. The red hat brightens the whole outfit.

If it is a red dress that is suitable for snow, it will be even more stunning.

"Devil World" or "Fairy World"?

After posting the photo on WeChat Moments that day, my friend asked why it was not called "Fairy World" but "Devil World" because it looked like the river was covered with water. It smells like the smoke (fairy spirit) in the TV series.

In fact, after comparing it with Changbai Mountain, you will understand that both are shrouded in smoke and mist. The Demon Realm gives people a very cold and lonely feeling. No matter how many tourists there are, they can't integrate and destroy this feeling. There is a background The sense of separation from the characters, whether it is the dead wood covered with snow that fell across the water surface many years ago, or the withered yellow daylilies silently accumulating strength in the ice and snow waiting for regeneration in the coming year, or the smoke rising from the water surface, slanting out from the side The black branches are telling a quiet, strange and beautiful story.

You can come, but you can't take anything away from here.

Changbai Mountain is very different, you can understand it just by looking at the picture.

First, let’s take a picture of Tianchi Town Tower!

The surface of Tianchi Lake is completely white, covered with ice and covered with snow.

There is a sea of ??clouds in the distance.

There were blue skies and white clouds a few days ago, with no snow or wind. I couldn’t see the sunrise in the Demon Realm on the morning I came to Changbai Mountain. I was worried that the weather would be bad, but I felt relieved after the sun fully rose. , Cloudless, it couldn’t be better!

The tickets for Tianchi and Changbai Mountain are separate. If you want to go to Tianchi, you need to buy another ticket for 80 yuan.

However, the probability of seeing Tianchi in Changbai Mountain is too low. If the weather conditions are not allowed, it will not be opened. If it is open, you may not be able to see it if you buy a ticket. There is a high probability that Tianchi is covered In the white mist, nothing can be seen, just like what my friends saw when they went there a few days ago.

Basically the same shooting angle as the picture above, but Tianchi cannot be seen at all, only the bare snow-capped mountains.

So, seeing Tianchi requires luck.

The weather is good this time, and the probability of seeing it is 99. Of course, I will not hesitate to buy a ticket to go up the mountain. According to local people, the first time you come to Changbai Mountain, you can see that Tianchi will bring you good luck all year round!

On the way to Tianchi, we took a four-seater off-road vehicle. The mountain road is very steep and there is a lot of snow. , but it was very smooth, the driver’s driving skills were also very good, and most importantly, the scenery along the way was so beautiful and shocking. This kind of shock can only be experienced while sitting in the car, and photos cannot record it.

In many previous trips, the most beautiful memories were often in the car.

I went to Saihanba one summer and drove on the grassland road. The view was very wide. The sky in front connected with the earth. The roadside was full of pink Gesang flowers and golden rapeseed flowers. The scene has always been in my heart. Once when I was driving at home, the weather was very similar to that day. The mood I had at that time came back. I felt relaxed and happy, and the feeling of driving was also very good.

This is often the case. The image cannot be recorded. Your eyes and heart will remember it for you. At the right moment, it will suddenly burst out, and the feeling will be even more touching than when you first saw it.

The hot springs in Changbai Mountain are high-temperature hot spring water, which can reach 82°C. So all the way up from the north slope, you will see the steamy Julong Hot Spring, which is awe-inspiring in a world of ice and snow. spectacle.