This will sound odd, but Summer/Fall in the WMNF is jam-packed with Chinese tourists (and to a similar extent, folks from India Nepal Bangladesh etc.) I'm not sure if it's because it's the only thing to do here and is kind of comparable to mountians back home?

I go up very reularly to hike and am amazed by the tourist groups and how easily they seem to hike our mountains in travel gear :p I've had many pleasant convos with these folks, likely cuz they're on vacation and in a good mood :p

But if you and your MIL make it up north I'm sure you guys would find tons of Mandarin/Cantonese people either on trail, at restaurants, in the conway outlets, taking the tram, etc.