Beijing is a city that is both incredible and a frustrating city. I’ve experienced this city as a tourist and a resident. Needless to say, I’ve visited a lot of famous historic and modern sites in the city, as well as even natural scenic sites (yes, those exist in Beijing). When it’s not smoggy due to seriously terrible air pollution, Beijing can be beautiful. 
National Center for the Performing Arts, otherwise known as the “egg”
Summer Palace (above and below)
Starbucks in Qianmen
Forbidden Palace, viewed from Jingshan Park
Xiangshan or Fragrant Hills (above and below), a good place to hike on the edge of the city
Ice-skating on a frozen canal
Guijie or Ghost Street, a popular nighttime eating place
798 art zone (above and below)
Houhai
Dashilar hutong
Last and definitely least, a photo of Beijing during terrible smog. It’s not a pretty sight but it is a common one in Beijing so I had to include it here.
