Objective To explore the lived experience of transition readiness in adolescents with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and to provide reference for developing transition readiness intervention program.Methods A qualitative phenomenological research design was utilized. Based on the Integrated Theory of Health Behavior Change, the interview protocol was crafted, then individual interviews were conducted among a purposeful sample of 13 adolescents with CKD.Content analysis procedures were applied to verbatim transcripts obtained during the semi-structured interviews.Results Three main themes emerged:inadequate awareness of transition readiness, lacking ability to recognize disease symptoms and self-management, and factors affecting transition.Conclusion Healthcare professionals should provide personalized transition education, encourage family involvement, promote adolescents′ psychosocial adaptation, and improve the transition healthcare system, thus to achieve successful transition from pe-diatric to adult care.