I would like to travel to China for a week vacation. What do I need in order to do so other than a passport.?

A valid passport and visa are required to enter China and must be obtained from Chinese Embassies and Consulates before traveling to China. Americans arriving without valid passports and the appropriate Chinese visa are not permitted to enter and will be subject to a fine and immediate deportation at the traveler's expense.

Do some research on where you want to stay, where to shopping and PHOTO copy your passport, or any other documents you have just in case you lose it!

To build on the previous answers, for sure your visa is required. To have readily access to your important papers and documents, scan them before you leave, and email them to yourself to your yahoo or hotmail account so that you can access them from anywhere and print off a copy if necessary.

Things I always take with me when I travel anywhere: my cheap digital camera (with USB connection so I can go to an internet cafe to download and send pictures to friends and family), my equally cheap GSM cell phone (i get the cheapest SIM card, in China for 50CNY), Immodium (the only medication you really need to worry about, the rest can be obtained from local pharmacies), as little spare clothing as possible (thongs are best LOL, just kidding...I just buy what I need when I need it, including a cheap travel bag), my Lonely Travel guidebook and phrasebook, a pack of wet towelettes (very useful at all times, especially if you forget your Immodium)...an open mind, an open heart, lots of smiles and a positive attitude, and you are in business in the greatest country on the planet...

wow, you will need a lot more than a week to see all there is to see in china!

www.travelchinaguide.com

money, chinese-english dictionary and a good condoms ...:)

What you'll need:
1. A color photo copy of your passport to bring around (make you and pack it in your luggage, it'll be easier than hunting for a copying place)
2. Several pairs of different shoes (dress shoes, sneakers, boots, etc.) if your feet are over size 9 male, it will be decidedly impossible to find shoes in China. Same rule for clothes - a variety of clothes for different occasions. Doesn't have to be a lot, every evening can be an adventure, and since you only have a week, you don't want to spend all your time shopping.
3. A good place to stay - if you haven't arranged for housing already and are going to a big city like Shanghai or Beijing, find a place near the subway. It will cut your transportation costs by half, at least. Also, if you're going in the winter, make sure the sublet/rental/hotel fees include heating costs, which can be 200 RMB + extra depending on your rental.
4. HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE. Foreigners traveling in China get the best of local health care, but over-prescribing, re-using needles and charging extra for services (esp. if you look like you have money, which most foreigns do) are common practices. Get travelers insurance, at least.
5. Money in an HSBC Account, if you have any branches near you. HSBC is a popular bank in China, so you can access your money usually with less ATM charges. This is convenient so you can have emergency cash in China w/o having the hassle of waiting in Chinese bank lines while bankers gesticulate at you in an attempt to communicate.
6. If you can't live without cellular, don't forget to unlock your cell phone in advance (some services will take to do this), and then get a prepaid SIM card in China.

What you wish you had brought:
hand sanitizer
a high res digital camera
electronic dictionary for faster results
a quality bottle of tequila/whiskey
tylenol and asthma meds (lines at chinese pharms are ridiculous)
dental floss
earplugs
more reading material (if you read) for the plane and subsequent jet lag

What you think you need, but don't:
good chocolate (yes, China has chocolate!)
pens and pencils
wine

What to pick up in China:
an english-chinese dictionary at any Chinese bookstore or electronic dictionary at Electronic stores (way cheaper than in the states)
hello kitty goodies for all your fem friends ;)
prepaid SIM CARD