Spectacular treasures relating to the First Emperor of China’s underground palace for the afterlife are set to draw a huge number of visitors to the British Museum, with advance ticket sales already triple the expected figures.

Lifesize warriors from the Terracotta Army are among more than 120 objects that open to the public today in the most important exhibition relating to Qin Shihuang, who created the state of China 2,000 years ago, that has been held outside his homeland.

More than 135,000 tickets have been sold so far, earning the museum more than £2 million, although its spokeswoman emphasised yesterday that it can take 400,000 visitors, or 500,000 with late-night openings. It is set to become the largest show at the museum since its Tutankhamun exhibition in 1972 had visitors queueing around the block.

Neil MacGregor, director of the museum, said: “He was one of the great leaders in history, such as Alexander, Caesar and Frederick the Great, and one of the greatest administrative organisers of all time.”

The historical and archaeological context of the treasures is explored in an exhibition staged within the Reading Room. The space has been sensitively adapted so that it almost suggests the tomb-like structure of the Firts Emperor’s underground palace.

The museum realised that it needed more space after last year’s exhibition of Michelangelo drawings drew more than 160,000 visitors. It was one of the museum’s most popular exhibitions.

The new exhibition paints a portrait of China’s first emperor as a powerful ruler who was so terrified of death he devoted his life to preparing to command the Universe in the next life.

He survived three attempts on his life and lived in fear of death, sending courtiers in search of potions to preserve his life. He died suddenly at the age of 49 in 210BC.

Visitors will stand face-to-face with commanding, lifesize figures of warriors, archers, horses, musicians, acrobats and a charioteer, each created with astonishing lifelike detail.

There is also a sword that is still as shiny and sharp as it was 2,000 years ago, a percussion instrument topped with a dragon-shaped handle, which soldiers would strike during a battle to tell the army to retreat or regroup, and an exquisite bronze ritual basin inlaid with gold and silver.

Elsewhere, there are bronze fittings that are as beautiful they were once practical. The most recent finds in clude bronze geese, swans and cranes that are thought to have danced to the music made by the terracotta musicians, all for the entertainment of the emperor in the afterlife. They were unearthed from a site that extends over an area the size of Cambridge; only a tiny proportion has been excavated. Up to 7,000 more figures are believed to be underground.

The Terracotta Army was discovered by chance in 1974 and the tomb is unparalleled in world archaeology.

The exhibition, which continues until April 6, includes a full programme of films, lectures and workshops. To book, telephone 020-7323 8181.

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