The more I think about this the more I don't think the problem is culture shock. Finally I came up with this sort of psychological test.
I imagine myself back home in America, but unable to speak English beyond the kindergarten level, unable to read, and with some conspicuous physical attribute that would make me stand out like a Martian. Even though American culture is hardly a shock to a native, suddenly my life would, ironically, become much more difficult than it is here. It would be brutal to have to mime in, say, Los Angeles.
Life in the 3rd tier city is actually kind of cozy and laid back for me. The only problem is just how difficult it is to communicate (and my Chinese has close to a thousand hours invested in it), and being one of only 5 foreigners in the city at present, so always being the "Lao Wai".
The culture hasn't itself posed many problems since I escaped having to work for Chinese businessmen who play by whatever rules they can get away with.
Actually, I'm getting so used to being the Lao Wai that the real problem is just the language. Even the occassional, "Fock yu" wouldn't bother me if I could make a witty riposte. Which reminds me = stop posting and get back to studying.