The Little Mermaid, the biggest attraction at the Denmark Pavilion and a star exhibit at Expo 2010, will begin its journey back home by aircraft this week after completing its first trip overseas.

The sculpture will return to her perch in Copenhagen Harbor by the end of November, where a welcome home party will be held.

The Denmark Pavilion has received more than 5.55 million visitors over the past six months, equal to the country's population.

The pavilion reached its original goal of 3 million visitors half way through the Expo and celebrated the 97th anniversary of the Little Mermaid on August 23.

Girls of all ages were invited to jump into the pool around the statue to celebrate the anniversary, a tradition in Denmark. On the same day in Copenhagen, residents posed on the stone where the Little Mermaid sat before its journey to Shanghai.

A big screen has been installed at Copenhagen Harbor since the Little Mermaid's departure. It broadcasts footage of the sculpture in Shanghai.

The Danish government approved the Little Mermaid's trip to Shanghai after a debate.

"It's a positive thing that she will represent Denmark at the World Expo," commissioner-general of the Denmark Pavilion Christopher Bramsen was quoted as saying at the time.

The Little Mermaid statue, one of Denmark's top tourist attractions, was created by sculptor Edvard Eriksen and placed in central Copenhagen on August 23, 1913.