Asia's tallest clock tower, nestled on top of the custom house on Shanghai's Bund, will fall silent for the next four months, as a thorough renovation project is undertaken.

Chinese web portal Sina.com reports that scaffolding was erected on Monday around the clock tower, which stoped running at the end of last month.

Completed in 1927, the 79-meter high clock tower is the highest in Asia, and the third highest in the world, after London's Big Ben and Moscow's Kremlin clock tower.

The clock tower gave out its first ring on New Year's Day 1928, accompanied by the melody Westminster. The music was subsequently changed to the Chinese song "Dongfanghong", or "The East is Red" from 1966 to 1986. However, Westminster did not go away for long, returning in 1986, but it was once again replaced permanently by "Dongfanghong" on May 1, 2003.

The clock tower has only received minor repairs during its 80-year history, and is more than ready for its first comprehensive facelift.

Scaffolding is set up around the landmark clock tower on Shanghai's Bund on Monday, June 11, 2007.

(CRI.cn June 13, 2007)