Objective To analysis the time for initiation of hemodialysis in chronic renal failure patients and its trends. Methods A retrospective study was performed in 144 patients newly treated with hemodialysis in Guangzhou Red-Cross Hospital during Jan. 1, 2007 to Dec. 31, 2009. The biochemical parameters just before the first dialysis session were retrieved, including blood urea nitrogen, serum albumin, and serum creatinine, from which glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was then calculated. Results In the 144 patients, the mean GFR at the time for initiation of hemodialysis was 6.01±0.59 ml/min·1.73m2. The initial mean GFR was ＞10ml/min·1.73m2 in 9 patients, 5 to 10ml/min·1.73m2 in 74 patients, and ＜5ml/min·1.73m2 in 61 patients. Diabetic patients had higher initial GFR than non-diabetic patients (7.41±0.47 vs. 5.22±0.44, t=28.49, P＜0.05). The trend of higher GFP at the initiation of hemodialysis became evident over time in chronic renal failure patients. Conclusion In our hemodialysis center, the initiation of hemodialysis was often delayed to the situation much lower than the requirements suggested by K/DOQI guidelines, especially in non-diabetic patients. The difference in the ability to tolerate uremia between diabetic and non-diabetic patients needs to be further investigated.