The city administers four villages: Covacipeter (Kovácspéter), Lacu Roșu (Gyilkostó), Vargatac (Vargatag), and Visafolio (Visszafolyó).

Nearby are two natural sites, the Red Lake and Cheile Bicazului, a narrow canyon through the Eastern Carpathian Mountains forming the border with Neamț County.

Towards the end of World War II, Romanian and Soviet armies entered the town in October 1944.

The territory of Northern Transylvania remained under Soviet military administration until March 9, 1945, after which it again became part of Romania.

After the administrative reform of 1968, the region was abolished, and since then, the city has been part of Harghita County.