The application of bulk amorphous alloys as structural materials is favored by their high strength and high elastic strain, but limited by their lack of plasticity. However, recent research advances show that the introduction of microscopically structural inhomogeneities results in excellent room-temperature plasticity of amorphous alloys. Various microstructural inhomogeneities in bulk amorphous alloys are reviewed in the present paper, with emphasis on their forming conditions, characterization techniques and correlations between shear banding behavior and plasticity. Influences of preparing conditions and chemical compositions on microstructure and plasticity of amorphous alloys are discussed. Finally, some unresolved fundamental issues in the amorphous field are highlighted