Since the 9th century, three components have distinguished this historic city with its narrow, tortuous streets: the Citadel (ark), the city itself (shahristan) which does not include the Citadel, and the commercial quarters (rabad). The ensemble is surrounded by fortifications which were destroyed and reconstructed several times and have modified the form of the city over the centuries. In the 16th century, the walls measured 12 km. in length; they were reinforced by 116 half-towers and 11 gates flanked by towers. Two of these gates survive today.

In the monumental landscape of Bukhara, which dates for the most part to the 16th century, very early Islamic achievements still exist; these include the famous Mausoleum of Ismaël Samani (10th century), the Poï Kalian minaret (11th century) and the Magoki-Attari Mosque (10th and 12th centuries). Numerous buildings are dedicated to religious purposes and there are several commercial buildings, including caravan enclosures and markets. The domestic architecture is constructed of brick and pisé; dwellings have flat roofs and lack window openings at the street level. Sculpted alabaster panels and frescoes decorate the homes of the wealthy.