Chongqing is like the Shenzhen ten years ago

[Silverobama]

Is this sentence natural?

Chongqing is like the Shenzhen ten years ago.

The context is: Chongqing is developing well these days but it’s still not very developed like cities like Shenzhen and Shanghai, those are what we call developed cities. And the development level of Shenzhen ten years ago is like the current development level of Chongqing.

Please help me with a better version.

 

[teechar]

Is this sentence natural?

No. Try:

Chongqing is like the Shenzhen was/used to be ten years ago.

or

Chongqing is like the Shenzhen of ten years ago.

The context is: Chongqing is developing well fast these days, but it’s still not very developed like (cities like such as) Shenzhen and Shanghai. Those are what we call developed cities. And The development level of Shenzhen ten years ago is like comparable to the current development level of Chongqing.

 

[emsr2d2]

I would simply remove the definite article from your original.

Chongqing is like Shenzhen ten years ago.
The Isle of Wight is like the UK 30 years ago.

 

[jutfrank]

I'd also add a 'was':

Chongqing is like Shenzhen was ten years ago.

 

[Silverobama]

Much appreciated. I wonder if it would sound better if I added "today" to make a comparison between now and the past.

Chongqing today is like Shenzhen ten years ago.

Chongqing today is like Shenzhen was ten years ago.

 

[Skrej]

It's okay, but not necessary. The timeline of 'ten years ago' makes a clear enough comparison between past and present.