A typical Gandharan stupa consists of three distinct parts:

 1)  a square plinth generally serves as a base for the superstructure.

 2)  Its body has several tiers of circular drums stacking on top of each other that are capped by a small dome.

 3)  The harmika (the square structure on top of dome) is crowned with an multi-tiered yasti-chattra (look like an multi-tiered umbrella) equal to the height of the base and and sometime with body combined.

Greco-Roman, Helenistic features often been employed, e.g. corinthian pillars, acanthus leaves, dentils decorating its plinth, base etc. Below the plinth (or on its outer surfaces) there are usually carvings of Jataka/Apadana stories.