A dimming mode detection method is used in an LED driving apparatus including a rectifier bridge providing a DC bus voltage and a switching converter configured to convert the DC bus voltage into a driving signal to drive an LED. The method involves: powering on the LED driving apparatus; sensing the DC bus voltage and generating a voltage sensing signal; comparing a rising time during which the voltage sensing signal increases from a second threshold voltage to a first threshold voltage with a first time threshold to detect whether the LED driving apparatus is connected to a leading edge dimmer; and comparing a falling time during which the voltage sensing signal decreases from a third threshold voltage to a fourth threshold voltage with a second time threshold to detect whether the LED driving apparatus is connected to a trailing edge dimmer.