How far is it from Helsinki to Lapland?

I'm planning to go to Finland at the end of this year just to witness myself the beauty of the Nordic Light. I am from Malaysia, so the only flight we have to Finland is a flight from Kuala Lumpur - Amsterdam - Helsinki. So I am understood that the best place to gaze at the Nordic Light is at the Lapland area. Can anybody tell me more about Lapland? And can anybody tell me how far is it from Helsinki to Lapland?