Dvaravati cities were often surrounded by moats. They also built ramparts around their cities. These were mounds or small hills made out of earth and sometimes reinforced (made stronger) by bricks. The Dvaravati probably learned to make moated cities from the Indians, who also used moats and ramparts to protect their cities.

Dvaravati architecture was also influenced by Indian culture. While houses in Dvaravati towns were made from wood, they made their religious buildings out of brick. These religious buildings were often square shape chedis, which had arched doorways, several stories/layers, and were beautifully decorated with sculptures of animals and mythical creatures. They also made large round chedis, with a square base and pointed finial at the top. Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhorn Pathom is an example of this, although the current chedi was actually built over the original stupa.